Thinking Task
This blog will showcase the movie review and comparative study of 2023 movie "12th Fail".
Overview of the Movie
The film chronicles the life journey of Manoj Kumar Sharma, a determined young man hailing from Chambal, with aspirations of cracking the UPSC exam and realizing his dream of becoming an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer. Inspired by the real-life IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, who overcame academic challenges as a 12th-grade dropout, the movie portrays his relentless pursuit of success. Despite facing numerous setbacks and academic hardships, Manoj ultimately triumphs in achieving his goal of becoming an IPS officer.
Release Date: 27 October, 2023
Written & Director: Vidhu Vinod Chora
Based on: "12th Fail" Book by Anurag Pathak (2019)
Cast: Vikran Massey, Medha Shankar, Ananat Joshi, Anshuman Pushkar.
Frame Study of Movie
The film begins with a scene in which Manoj is creating cheat notes for his 12th-grade examination, followed by the issuance of his father's suspension order. This movie addresses issues within the Indian education system and corruption within various government institutions. Manoj's father becomes a target of this entrenched corruption network. He faced suspension because he refused to participate in their corrupt practices.
However, his father rebelled against the authorities and is portrayed as a resilient character who doesn't lose hope. He took the matter to the high court, but, as is often the case for individuals from humble backgrounds, his father's voice went unheard by those in power.
The movie's backdrop, featuring Manoj's village and his journey, persuades us that he is genuinely a deserving candidate for the IPS. In this particular scene, the film highlights a corrupt regime orchestrated by the Vidhayak (MLA). It exposes how even powerful authorities, such as the police, are mere puppets under the control of the Vidhayak.
This scene in the movie is quite ironic. Cheating is considered normal during examinations, and it is even condoned by the principal. The saying written outside the class contradicts the actual practices within the classroom.
In this particular scene, Manoj learns about the challenging nature of the UPSC exam from a fellow aspirant named Gauri Bhaiya. Gauri Bhaiya metaphorically describes UPSC as a game of snakes and ladders, guiding and helping other aspirants in their preparation for the examination. He emphasizes the daunting reality that only 20 to 25 individuals out of the aspirants succeed in becoming IPS officers, while the rest are compelled to restart their journey.
This scene underscores the prevalence of exhibitionism and marketing tactics within coaching classes. The coaching staff consistently highlights the success stories of students, claiming that all of them cleared the UPSC mains exam through their coaching program. However, the reality is different. Students were being compensated by the coaching classes, and in return, they allowed the classes to use their names however they pleased for marketing purposes.
Comment Upon Education System
In today's context, education appears to prioritize exam success and rewards over genuine learning. For those in the middle and lower-middle classes, education is often viewed as a means to secure employment and livelihood. In the film "12th Fail," Manoj, hailing from a humble background, leverages education to elevate his social standing, steering clear of a life of manual labor in the fields. The education system should not solely revolve around financial gains; instead, it should aim to nurture students into healthy, responsible citizens.
The portrayal of the education system in the movie is stark and unsettling, depicting instances where students seek assistance from their teachers to pass the 12th board exams. This underscores the alarming state of the education sector, especially prevalent in remote villages where such issues are widespread. Additionally, corruption has infiltrated the education system, a concerning development given that education should be safeguarded from such malpractices.
Education has changed. Now, it's more about passing tests and getting rewards than actually learning interesting things. People focus on exams for financial security instead of exploring different subjects. The joy of learning takes a backseat, and choosing subjects is more about getting a good job than enjoying the topic. Even in top schools, the focus has shifted from understanding things to making money quickly after graduation.
Symbol of Atta Chakki
The flour mill serves as a symbolic representation in the movie, highlighting Manoj's ongoing battle between his aspirations and his everyday reality. Faced with financial constraints that hinder his ability to afford coaching fees, Manoj adopts a rigorous routine. He works at the flour mill during the day to cover his expenses and dedicates his nights to exam preparation. The atta chakki thus becomes a metaphor for Manoj's relentless hard work and unwavering commitment to achieving his dream of becoming an IPS officer.
Contextualization
The film primarily addresses the flaws in the Indian education system, emphasizing the prevalent obsession with securing government jobs. In contemporary society, the predominant goal of many aspiring youth is to secure a government position, often disregarding the salary's nominal value. The storyline progresses to Delhi, the epicenter of UPSC exam preparation centers, where thousands of students relentlessly strive for success in civil services. The harsh reality becomes evident as not everyone manages to pass the exam and attain an officer position.
This reality is portrayed through characters like Pandey and Gauri Bhaiya, both of whom put in significant effort but fall short of passing the examination. Gauri Bhaiya's case is particularly poignant; despite successfully navigating the preliminary and main exams, he fails to crack the interview in his last attempt. In addition to narrating Manoj's inspirational journey, the movie sheds light on the flip side of such examinations, revealing the challenges and disappointments faced by individuals like Pandey and Gauri Bhaiya.
This film captures the prevailing aspiration among today's youth to become an IAS or IPS officer, encapsulating the current essence of their ambitions.
Thematic Study
The movie revolves around a person's personal victory despite facing many challenges. It highlights the lack of support from teachers and the education system for these students. Unfortunately, there's still a belief in society that students from marginalized or poor backgrounds aren't meant to succeed academically. These students often encounter social and financial obstacles on their path to success. The movie also shows some problems within the education system, such as the dominance of the English language and the widespread issue of cheating in board examinations.
Comparative Study
Many modern web series and movies share similarities with the mentioned film. For example, a popular web series called 'Aspirants' by TVF, released in 2021, also follows characters facing personal challenges while preparing for the UPSC exam. The movie '12th Fail' exists in the shadow of TVF's 'Aspirants,' but it differs in exploring the motivations of its characters. While 'Aspirants' delves deep into character motivations, the supporting characters in '12th Fail' may feel more stereotypical.
We can also draw a comparison with the movie "Super 30," which focuses on how the caste or class system influences education. This biographical drama not only celebrates academic excellence but also highlights the powerful impact education can have in shaping destinies. The film stars Hrithik Roshan in the lead role.
Conclusion
At the end, the movie shows that Manoj Kumar Sharma never gave up. Even when school was tough and things didn't go well, he kept trying. Finally, he became an IPS officer, and the movie is like saying,
"If you keep going and don't give up, you can make your dreams come true."
Wordcount - 1238
Images used - 10
References
- Bhardwaj, Kartik. “'12th fail' movie review: Too long a ted talk.” The New Indian Express, 28 October 2023, https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2023/Oct/28/12th-fail-movie-review-too-long-a-ted-talk-2627608.html.
- Barad, Dilip, and Saurabh Khanna. “(PDF) The Changing Priorities of Education in India: A Worrisome Shift Mirrored in Popular Films and Fictions.” ResearchGate, 16 November 2023, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/375641812_The_Changing_Priorities_of_Education_in_India_A_Worrisome_Shift_Mirrored_in_Popular_Films_and_Fictions. Accessed 19 January 2024.
- Kumar, Anuj. “'12th Fail' movie review: Vidhu Vinod Chopra delivers yet another hug of hope that is more earnest than magical.” The Hindu, 26 October 2023, https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/12th-fail-movie-review-vidhu-vinod-chopra-delivers-yet-another-hug-of-hope-that-is-more-earnest-than-magical/article67460764.ece. Accessed 19 January 2024.
- Sadana, Abha. “Decoding 12th Fail: The Role Of Teachers | Opinion News.” Times Now, 20 January 2024, https://www.timesnownews.com/opinion/decoding-12th-fail-the-role-of-teachers-article-107018180. Accessed 21 January 2024.
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