Vikrant Massey : on Playing Real-Life Characters on Screen: “What Suits Me is Realism”
Vikrant Massey : The greatest and most courageous actor of his time, Vikrant Massey isn’t hesitant to tackle unvarnished human tales that have a profound emotional impact. His portrayal in 12th Fail, a compelling story of tenacity that won him the Best Actor prize at the 71st National Film Awards, is still regarded as one of the most moving stories in contemporary film.
Real-world personalities are expertly brought to life on film by Massey, who gives them a grounded reality. His representations, which range from the resolute IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma in 12th Fail to the serial murderer in Sector 36 and the journalist in The Sabarmati Report, are realistic and approachable. Massey explains his method when asked how he creates such genuine, believable parts and the planning that goes into them.
“I think it’s a balance of a lot of things coming together,” he says. “First of all, I don’t believe there is just one approach. You know, I can’t accomplish what I did in the 12th Fail in Sector 36. They are individuals from various worlds and backgrounds, therefore my approach cannot be the same. They have a whole different perspective on the world. Being genuine is a very deliberate endeavor. However, when I say to be real, I mean to fit in rather than to stick out. Because in the end, I want the tales I tell to reflect the average person. It may be Manoj Kumar Sharma, Prem Singh, or my actions in Sabarmati. All of these individuals are regular folks. the same individuals we encounter on a daily basis. Additionally, I believe there is no technique since I am neither a theater performer or a trained actor. I learned what I know throughout the years on my own. It comes from simple observation, my travels, my conversations with others, the books I read, and the films I watch. Therefore, I believe it’s a combination of all these elements coming together. However, I genuinely want my viewers to recognize some of themselves in the people I portray on screen. Storytelling may take many forms. In this case, there is no right or wrong. But reality is what works for me.
More than just a significant milestone, 12th Fail exemplified Vikrant’s realism concept by integrating into the everyday environment to allow viewers to identify with the characters. This slow-burning victory solidified his status as one of the most highly regarded performers of his time and confirmed his belief in sincere storytelling.