Renowned filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra has made a shocking revelation about the initial struggles faced by his critically acclaimed film 12th Fail, disclosing that an OTT platform backed out of their acquisition deal after watching the movie, citing financial constraints as their excuse.
The IFFI Masterclass Revelation
During a masterclass session titled 'Unscripted – The Art And Emotion of Filmmaking' at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on November 22, 2024, Chopra shared this unexpected setback with writer Abhijat Joshi and the audience. The filmmaker, known for classics like Parinda and 1942: A Love Story, didn't hold back while narrating the surprising turn of events that occurred before the film's release.
"I had a deal with an OTT company, I won't name them, they saw the film and said that they don't have funds. Can you imagine? They actually said that to me," Chopra revealed during the session. The platform's representative even commented that honest people like the protagonist don't exist in today's world, to which Chopra promptly responded, "I don't know if there are more such people or not, but you can see at least one sitting right here!"
Overcoming Industry Skepticism
The challenges for 12th Fail didn't end with the OTT platform's rejection. Chopra disclosed that even his wife, noted film critic Anupama Chopra, advised against a theatrical release. "When I made 12th Fail, everyone said that it won't even work for a day. Even my wife, who knows a lot about cinema, told me not to release it at the theatres, no one will go to watch your and Vikrant's film there," he shared.
Despite the overwhelming skepticism, Chopra remained steadfast in his belief in the project. "I told her that we made it with love, people will definitely go." His conviction proved right as the Vikrant Massey-starrer defied all expectations, running successfully in theaters for an impressive seven months despite simultaneous availability on television and digital platforms.
Emotional Filmmaking Process
Chopra also provided insights into the emotional depth of the filmmaking process, particularly highlighting a powerful scene where Vikrant Massey's character returns to his village to discover his grandmother's passing. "Nothing was planned, everything was impromptu. We held the longest shot for four minutes and then seconds. If we had said cut, the emotion of that scene would have diminished," the filmmaker explained.
The spontaneous approach to filming created magic on screen, with Chopra noting that "everyone asked how we didn't cut for that long." This commitment to authentic emotional storytelling ultimately contributed to the film's massive success and critical acclaim.
The film, which also features Medha Shankr in a pivotal role, has since been validated by winning two National Film Awards, proving that Chopra's vision and perseverance ultimately triumphed over initial industry doubts and rejections.
