Vikrant Massey Recalls Earning ₹300 in Rewards from Vidhu Vinod Chopra on 12th Fail Set Actor Vikrant Massey shared insights on Shekhar Suman's talk show about his 12th Fail audition and earning ₹300 in token rewards from director Vidhu Vinod Chopra. 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. What this means for you For Film Enthusiasts & Aspiring Artists: • Value of Constructive Criticism: Vikrant Massey's journey demonstrates how taking initial doubts and harsh critiques as learning opportunities can transform a career. • Dedication to Craft: Spending 1.5 years deeply involved in script development and valuing token appreciation highlights the importance of patience and passion. Questions & Answers 1. How did Vikrant Massey earn ₹300 from Vidhu Vinod Chopra? During the shoot, the director gave ₹10 or ₹20 cash tokens for exceptionally good takes. 2. Who recommended Vikrant Massey to Vidhu Vinod Chopra? Director Rajkumar Hirani recommended Vikrant after watching his performance in 'A Death in the Gunj' and 'Mirzapur'. 3. How much time did Vikrant Massey dedicate to 12th Fail? He spent a full 1.5 years involved in the preparation and development of the film. 4. What did Vikrant Massey share about his audition posture? During the audition, he sat in the exact posture seen in the opening shot of 12th Fail, which immediately convinced the director. 5. On which talk show did Vikrant Massey reveal these details? Vikrant Massey discussed these experiences during an appearance on Shekhar Suman's show 'Shekhar Tonight'. Inspiration & Lessons Inspiration & Key Lessons: • Embrace Constructive Criticism: Instead of taking offense when questioned about his TV background, Vikrant chose to accept it constructively. • Immerse in the Craft: He committed 1.5 years to understanding script development long before shooting commenced. • Value Recognition Over Money: He viewed small cash tokens as genuine tokens of appreciation rather than mere monetary reward. • Respect Strict Mentorship: He recognized the paternal guidance behind a demanding director's strict demeanour. https://trendkia.com/en/bollywood/vidhu-vinod-chopra-se-mile-300-rupaye-ke-inama-ko-vikrant-massey-ne-bataya-jindagi-ki-asali-daulata-16799 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.