12th Fail gave viewers insight into one of the hardest ᴀssessments in the world. The Hindi-language film, as well as the book it’s based upon, details one man’s struggle to pᴀss the incredibly difficult Union Public Service Commission exam. The UPSC recruits applicants for the elite police force called the All India Service. Only a small fraction of people who sit for the exam pᴀss and make it into the UPSC. 12th Fail follows the journey of one man who rose from poverty and went on to not only pᴀss the exam but also rise up in the ranks of the elite government agency.

Initially a sleeper hit released in 2023, 12th Fail went on to be a box office success. The film went on to make over 69 crore, which is the equivalent of over $8 million US, against a budget of roughly $2.3 million US. 12th Fail also won five Filmfare Awards, which are the equivalent of the Oscars for Hindi-language films. In addition to all the awards and commercial success, 12th Fail continues to inspire audiences through its touching story.

Yes, 12th Fail Is Based On A True Story

It Tells The Real-Life Rags-To-Riches Story Of Manoj Kumar Sharma

The film 12th Fail is indeed a true story, as it’s adapted from the nonfiction book Twelfth Fail, written by Anurag Pathak. Both the book and the film are about an Indian man named Manoj Kumar Sharma and his rise from extreme poverty to becoming an elite Indian Police Service officer. Manoj Kumar Sharma, played by Vikrant Mᴀssey 12th Fail, is actually a real person, and the story is based on his real life. It’s worth noting that Mᴀssey won a Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Sharma.

Sharma has to help support his family after his father is suspended from the police force for hitting a corrupt officer. After failing another government exam, Sharma soon begins to study for the Union Public Service Commission so he could join the All India Services. Sharma knows that he is facing an uphill battle because the UPSC exam has one of the lowest pᴀssing rates in the world. For context, in 2023, over 1.3 million people applied for just 1,255 positions (via The Times of India).

Sharma faces extreme poverty while studying for the exam. At one point, he is in such a dire financial state that he cannot afford food. But things take a turn when he meets Shraddha Joshi, who is trying to gain entrance into the also highly selective Indian Revenue Services. The two study together and begin to form a close connection that eventually becomes romantic. Joshi is based on Sharma’s real-life wife of the same name. As of today, both Sharma and Joshi are enrolled in the All India Services and Indian Revenue Service, respectively.

Some 12th Fail Scenes Were Added to the Film For Dramatization Purposes

Sharma Getting His Money Stolen Didn’t Happen In The Book

Although, of course, the movie and book focus on slightly different aspects of Sharma’s life, the story still stays true to his experiences. However, not everything present in the book is in the film, and vice versa. Someone stealing Manoj’s bag with his grandmother’s life savings on the bus to Gwalior is in the movie but not in the book.

In the film, after Sharma’s money is stolen, he is given food and shelter from a local H๏τel owner. Since the scene perfectly sums up the level of poverty Sharma is facing while trying to pᴀss the UPSC test, it may be surprising that it’s not in the book. However, movies often need to change elements to make the story more dramatic, and Sharma losing nearly all of his money certainly raises the stakes, even if it may have not happened that way in real life.

Also, the Indian caste system plays a bigger role in the 12th Fail film than in the book. The Indian caste system is India’s regimented class system, where it’s often difficult for people to move up the social ladder. The film delves into the impact of the caste system on Sharma, as he is constantly reminded of his place at the bottom rung of society. He sees pᴀssing the USPC exam as his chance to move up in his community.

12th Failm Used Real IPS Agents To Add Authenticity

Sharma Himself Had A Cameo Too

12th Fail’s director, Vidhu Vinod Chopra insisted on authenticity while making 12th Fail. To achieve this, he used real All India Service officers in the background of scenes and as various characters. Chopra also expressed his interest in depicting resilience through the film. In an interview with FilmFare.com, the director said,

12th Fail was very important for me to make because I feel that whatever I had to say to the young generation, I have said in this film. In a video game, where you move ahead, die, press the ʙuттon, restart and begin the cycle again – why can’t you do that in life? Restart is the philosophy of the film…

In addition to using real All India Service officers, real-life UPSC coach Vikas Divyakirti played himself in 12th Fail. But chief among the reality-based stars of 12th Fail is the man who inspired the film’s story. Yes, Manoj Kumar Sharma himself has a cameo in the film, along with his wife, Shraddha Joshi (via Times of India).

Where Manoj Kumar Sharma Is Today

He’s A Civil Servant And Family Man

As the film depicts, Sharma pᴀssed the UPSC exam and gained entry into the All India Services in 2005. Today, Sharma serves as an Inspector General of Police, a senior position within the Central Industrial Security Force in India. Sharma remains a dedicated civil servant in India, and a family man. He married Indian Revenue Service Officer, Shraddha Joshi, who he is seen falling in love with in the film. The couple have two children together, a boy and a girl (via Times Now).

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