Vikrant Massey has won the National Award for Best Actor for his moving performance in the film ’12th Fail’.
The announcement was made during the 71st National Film Awards ceremony, held at the National Media Centre in New Delhi.
Filmmaker Ashutosh Gowariker, who was part of the jury, declared Vikrant as the winner of the Best Actor award, a title he shares with none other than Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who won for his role in ‘Jawan’.
Soon after the news came out, Vikrant released a heartfelt message. In it, he dedicated the award to people who are often left out of the spotlight.
“I dedicate this award to all the marginalised people in our society, those who are often invisible and are fighting against social and economic struggles every single day,” he said.
Vikrant also called it a great honour to win alongside someone like Shah Rukh Khan, a legend in Indian cinema. “To share my first National Award with an icon like Shah Rukh Khan is a privilege,” he added.
He thanked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC), and all the jury members of the 71st National Film Awards. Most importantly, he expressed his gratitude to director Vidhu Vinod Chopra for trusting him with the role.
“Today, I can say that a 20-year-old boy’s dream has come true. I’m forever grateful to the audience for supporting this film with so much love,” Vikrant said.
’12th Fail’ starring Vikrant Massey, which released in October 2023, is a deeply emotional and inspiring story based on the real life of Manoj Kumar Sharma. The film shows how Manoj, despite living in extreme poverty, worked hard and became an IPS officer. It also highlights the strong role his wife, IRS officer Shraddha Joshi, played in helping him succeed.
The film didn’t just touch the hearts of viewers; it also earned praise from the person whose life inspired the movie. After the award announcement, Manoj Kumar Sharma posted an emotional message on Instagram.
“Winning the National Award for Best Film and Best Actor by ’12th Fail’ proves that our society values honesty and truth. It gives hope that our youth will continue to believe in these values,” he wrote.