Updated On: 01 August, 2025 08:52 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Vikrant Massey has won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his powerful performance in 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. He portrays real-life IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma

Vikrant Massey Shah Rukh Khan
Vikrant Massey is the best actor of his generation, having won the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actor for his dramatic performance in 12th Fail, in which he portrays real-life IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma. Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the film tells the incredible story of a young guy from a poor background who dares to dream big. Manoj`s journey is one of perseverance and hope as he battles poverty, self-doubt, and the pressures of India`s most competitive test, the UPSC. With this win, Vikrant has clearly established himself as the outstanding actor of his time.
Vikrant now shares his reaction to the massive win, he said, "I want to thank the Honourable Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the NFDC, and all the esteemed jury members of the 71st National Film Awards for considering my performance worthy of this recognition. I also want to thank Shri Vidhu Vinod Chopra ji for giving me this opportunity."
The 12th Fail actor further shared, "Today, if I may say so, a 20-year-old boy’s dream has come true. I am eternally grateful to the audiences for honouring my performances and for recommending this film with such love. It is a privilege to be sharing my first National Award with an icon like Shah Rukh Khan."