Actor Vikrant Massey, who earned widespread acclaim for his standout performance in 12th Fail, recently offered an insightful peek into his collaborative journey with renowned filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra. Appearing on Shekhar Suman's talk show Shekhar Tonight, the actor recounted the memorable moments from his initial audition, the intensive preparation period, and a heartwarming custom on set where he earned approximately ₹300 directly from the director. Massey emphasized that while the sum might sound small, the recognition behind those cash rewards represented true wealth to him.
The Initial Encounter and Addressing the TV Actor Stigma
The association between Vikrant Massey and Vidhu Vinod Chopra came about after filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani recommended Massey's name. Hirani had watched Massey's critically praised work in the film A Death in the Gunj as well as his intense portrayal in the series Mirzapur. Armed with that recommendation, Massey met Chopra for the first time, only to be met with unfiltered honesty from the veteran director.
Chopra acknowledged Massey's talent but candidly noted that Mirzapur was not the kind of show he could watch beyond a single episode. He then posed a direct question to Massey, asking, "Why should I work with you? You are a TV actor, people watch you at home for free, why will they come to the theatre to see you?" Rather than taking offense, Massey chose to view the statement as constructive criticism, recognizing the pragmatic truth behind the director's perspective and reaffirming his commitment to earn the role.
Securing the Role Through Audition Posture and Script Development
The turning point in the casting process occurred during Massey's audition. While waiting, Massey happened to sit in a specific, contemplative posture. Coincidentally, that exact pose ended up becoming the iconic opening shot of 12th Fail. Upon noticing Massey sitting in that precise posture, Chopra stood up and immediately declared his decision to direct him in the film.
Massey dedicated nearly one and a half years to the project. Unlike standard industry practices where actors join a film just a few months prior to principal photography, Chopra granted Massey complete access to the script's evolution. Massey was involved throughout the development phase, with the director frequently seeking his inputs on scenes and character arcs. Massey credited this immersive access as a key reason why he was able to deliver a deeply resonant performance on screen.
Earning ₹300 in Token Rewards and Building a Paternal Bond
Reflecting on Chopra's reputation for being extremely strict, Massey shared that the director became a father figure to him over the course of the production. Although he received a mild reprimand prior to the start of filming, Chopra did not scold him even once during the entire shooting period. Instead, the director instituted a unique reward system: whenever an actor delivered an exceptional take, Chopra would hand over a ₹10 or ₹20 cash token on the spot.
By the end of the film's shoot, Massey had accumulated ₹300 through these small tokens of appreciation. For Massey, those cash notes represented a profound validation of his hard work from a master filmmaker. He expressed that the guidance, mutual respect, and memories forged during 12th Fail remain irreplaceable treasures in his professional life.
