Life Lessons For A High-schooler From ‘12th Fail’
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s sleeper-hit ‘12th Fail’ won the hearts of audiences with its refreshing earnestness. IC Young Writer, Twisha Khokhani, writes about the life-lessons a high-schooler can glean from this movie.
Recently, Bollywood has churned out several progressive movies touching various issues. Rocky Aur Rani, Jawan, and now 12th Fail, the story of IPS Manoj Sharma from India’s Chambal district in Madhya Pradesh – notorious for bandits – becoming a top officer of the Indian Police Service (IPS), have all been successful.
Realistic themes about ordinary people
12th Fail isn’t a typical Bollywood action-packed movie or rom-com that boasts a big A-list Bollywood star cast. Nor does it fit into any of the other popular genres for Hindi movies. It’s a small-budget film about an ordinary person from very humble circumstances with an extraordinary drive to achieve an incredibly difficult goal. The themes addressed by this movie are treated realistically—something that’s rare in mainstream cinema. And therein lies its power–the power to inspire and motivate millions of people.
As an American desi teen, I too have felt motivated by this film. Here are some of the life lessons I learnt from this film.
Cheating never gets you anywhere
Manoj Kumar Sharma, a 12th-grade student promises his mother he’ll change the world whilst making notes to cheat during his final exams. Caught in the act, Manoj fails 12th grade. He vows to never cheat again. In the next exam, the entire school cheats and passes while Manoj, refusing to cheat, fails. Yet, he feels he has won the day. In his next attempt he passes, barely, but considers himself more successful than when he cheated and passed with high grades. Being honest is a recurring theme throughout the movie and establishes his character.
Be determined to achieve your dreams
Manoj’s determination is like none other. His father, an upright village clerk who refuses bribes, leaves the family to fight for justice in the higher courts. A naive but determined Manoj, with dreams in his head and his grandmother’s life savings in his purse, heads for the big city, Alwar in Rajasthan, intending to become a police officer.
Be prepared to pivot
On the way to the city, disaster strikes and Manoj is faced with the first of his many challenges in life. He pivots and sets himself a higher, more ambitious goal. His new challenge is now to pass the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam, which will make him an Indian Police Service (IPS) officer.
Mentors can make a difference
In Delhi, Manoj works at a library all day and studies at night. Here he meets his mentor, Gauri Bhaiya, who provides him guidance and stability through his UPSC journey. The UPSC is arguably one of the toughest competitive exams in the world, and Gauri Bhaiya, who failed himself, is dedicated to helping other aspiring UPSC candidates, especially from the underprivileged classes, be successful. Using his tea stall as a base, he becomes a mentor and coaches them. The relationship between the two shows us how mentoring is sometimes critical to success, and even those who may have failed at something can add value by sharing their experiences.
Restart: Life is a Snakes and Ladders Game
Gauri Bhaiya motivates Manoj with one simple word, “Restart”, which enables him to forge ahead. This iconic word is what could motivate all of us to never lose heart and keep trying. Always work towards your goal. Restart.
At this time, Manoj meets the love of his life, Shraddha Joshi, who is also preparing for the UPSC. Shaddha brings motivation in his life, but struggling to make ends meet, Manoj is unable to focus on his studies and fails the exams a couple of times. Devastated, he heads home for his grandmother’s comfort, only to find that she’s passed away. His mother fuels him with the motivation he needs to go back to Delhi.
Restart. In Delhi, Manoj starts living and working in a decrepit flour mill when his father visits him and breaks down seeing his difficult living conditions. Manoj is able to motivate his father to continue the fight for justice. It is a restart for both father and son.
Forgive and move on
Pritam, Shraddha and Gauri Bhaiya convince Manoj to get out of his terrible working conditions and focus on his studies, and he finally passes the Mains (finals). His happiness does not last, though, as a jealous Pritam causes some mischief. Manoj later has to bail a drunken Pritam out of jail, only to find out what he did. Eventually, Manoj forgives Pritam for the sake of their friendship and their bond strengthens as a whole. His ability to forgive and move on is one that is extremely rare in today’s time.
Be authentic to yourself
But Manoj has one more examination to pass: the interview, and he approaches it with a fresh haircut, a new suit, and forgiveness towards Pritam. It brought out Manoj’s character when, in spite of being advised to lie about it, he tells the truth about failing the 12th. As he walks out of the interview uncertain, the panelists are divided in their opinion of him. Finally, his honesty and the truth win the day for him and Manoj becomes an IPS officer.
Unwavering focus towards the goal
Manoj’s unwavering dedication to becoming an IPS officer was something that shook me to the core. His determination and focus are inspirational. At one point when there was a power cut, he brought his work outside and started reading under a streetlight. Courageous, he climbed the ladders to the top with nothing but sheer willpower.
Uncertainty is a part of life
Till the very end, Manoj is not sure if he would become an IPS officer. Walking out of the seemingly disastrous UPSC interview, he is sure of one thing only, that he would forge ahead to bring about change one way or another. He teaches us that uncertainty is a part of life. You’ll never know what’s coming next—but find another way to reach your dreams, to be who you want to be, to climb out of any deep, dark hole you find yourself in. That is what Manoj’s story is all about.
Relationship goals
Manoj and Shraddha’s relationship is one where they are motivated by and support each other. They strive to improve themselves, and even when the world tears them apart, they come back together in a loving manner rather than a toxic one. A healthy relationship is based on support and motivation.
12th Fail stands apart from your everyday rags-to-riches tale. It is certain to inspire the vast majority of people worldwide (after all, it inspired me) who need motivation to achieve their goals. So every time you’re down and out, remember that if Manoj Sharma could do it, so could you.