Vidhu Vinod Chopra reveals Rajkumar Hirani had agreed to direct Vikrant Massey's 12th Fail, here’s what happened

Looking back on 12th Fail, director Vidhu Vinod Chopra feels that the movie's success was destined to happen. The director has had quite the journey with the project, going from not having read the novel that the movie was based on to questioning whether his longtime associate Rajkumar Hirani could direct it for him.

Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra offered details about the project's beginnings during the success event. He revealed that Rajkumar Hirani had initially consented to helm the film. But Chopra also revealed how he was eventually motivated to take the directing reins himself.

The film's director, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, shared some behind-the-scenes information at the film's recent success celebration, 12th Fail. He thought back to his first meeting with Manoj Kumar Sharma, who had come up to him carrying the book 12th Fail and asking for a blurb.

Also read: Vikrant Massey’s 12th Fail lesser loved than Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal on OTT

In a lighthearted response, Chopra said that he told Manoj that if he thought the book was unimpressive, he would have to publish it too—even if it meant calling it "bakwas." Manoj asked Chopra to give the book to people like Rajkumar Hirani and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and Chopra complied.

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When Manoj returned six months later with the printed book, Chopra said he was shocked to find endorsements from celebrities like Rajkumar Hirani and Sachin Tendulkar. Chopra revealed that, intrigued by their compliments, he got in touch with Hirani to find out more. Surprised that Chopra hadn't read the book, Hirani pushed him to do so, highlighting the novel's potential for a film adaptation.

Chopra revealed that, after his first hesitation to do the movie, he went to Hirani and asked if he would consider directing it. Chopra recounted their encounter, saying, "Raju told me he was already writing a film, but if I wrote the film, he would direct it."

More about 12th Fail

12th Fail, which is based on a book by Anurag Pathak, tells the story of Manoj Kumar Sharma, an IPS officer who overcame abject poverty. In the film, which has made Rs 67 crore globally, Vikrant Massey plays him. Three years after Vinod Chopra's love drama Shikara (2020), which was inspired on the 1990 Kashmiri pandit exodus, came the release of 12th Fail in 2023.

Also read: 12th Fail Review: Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Latest Is A Vikrant Massey Show All The Way