71st National Film Awards: Vidhu Vinod Chopra REACTS To 12th Fail's Dual Wins, Says 'Two Feels Better' - EXCL

12th

Fail swept all the awards for best film at most awards ceremonies and it was no different at the 71st National Film Awards 2025. At the awards ceremony in New Delhi, the Mission Kashmir filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra was present to receive the night's big honour for Best Feature Film from President Draupadi Murmu. Later, the writer-director shared how he was feeling after his film's dual wins.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra reacts to 12th Fail's double awards

Speaking with Times Now after picking up his Golden Lotus Award (Swarna Kamal) honours from President Murmu, the elated filmmaker shared, "It feels good. One feels good; two feels better." The director is no stranger at the National Film Awards as this was his fifth win for his production company. Munna Bhai MBBS won Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment in 2003, and its sequel, Lage Raho Munna Bhai repeated the honour in 2006. Vidhu also picked up the National Film Award for Best Screenplay for the film, along with director Rajkumar Hirani and writer Abhijat Joshi. In 2009, another production,

3 Idiots, won the same category again. This is the first time the filmmaker has won for Best Feature Film. ALSO READ: 71st National Film Awards: Vikrant Massey Wins Best Actor, Director Vidhu Vinod Chopra Accepts Best Feature Film For 12th Fail

About 12th Fail

Based on Anurag Pathak's book of the same name, the Hindi film follows the emotional and inspiring journey of Manoj Kumar Sharma to become an IPS officer. Vikrant Massey plays the determined young man who overcomes poverty and several failed attempts to achieve his dream. Along the way, he meets a fellow student, Shraddha Joshi (Medha Shankr), studying for the UPSC exam as well, and they become close. Also starring Anant Joshi, Anshumaan Pushkar and Priyanshu Chatterjee, the film's screenplay was written by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Jaskunwar Kohli.

12th Fail was a sleeper hit at the box office after its release on October 27, 2023.