Kaun Banega Crorepati 16: Vikrant Massey reveals Vidhu Vinod Chopra paid bonus to the entire unit when 12th Fail did more than expected

During the episode, Amitabh Bachchan praised Vikrant Massey’s portrayal of Manoj Kumar Sharma in the movie 12th Fail, acknowledging Vikrant’s dedication to the role.

In the latest episode of Kaun Banega Crorepati 16, IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma and actor Vikrant Massey took the hot seat, sharing life stories, dreams, and memories with host Amitabh Bachchan. The episode kicked off with Manoj, who currently serves as an Inspector General (IG), reflecting on the impact of the show Kaun Banega Crorepati on his life. He recounted how, back in 2000, as he was preparing for his UPSC exams, he would stand by roadside eateries or at local shops at 9 PM to watch the show, hoping it would aid his preparation. This experience became foundational for his journey into the Indian Police Service.

Manoj also shared glimpses of his childhood in Chambal, a region infamous for its association with dacoits, which posed unique challenges for him. He recalled, "We couldn’t even find a place to stay after revealing we were from Chambal. The biggest hurdle was access to education." Inspired by a teacher who refused to allow cheating, Manoj became determined to pursue exams that would secure him a position of power.

During the episode, Amitabh Bachchan praised Vikrant Massey’s portrayal of Manoj Kumar Sharma in the movie 12th Fail, acknowledging Vikrant’s dedication to the role. Vikrant, who has spent over 20 years in the entertainment industry, expressed his excitement to finally meet Amitabh Bachchan in person, saying, “I have spent 20 years in the industry, and this is the first time I am meeting you face-to-face.” Amitabh warmly responded, “It feels like we’ve met many times before. Watching your performances, it feels like you’re part of the family.”

Vikrant shared that the role of Manoj deeply resonated with him, explaining that producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra first recommended the book 12th Fail before offering the script. Reading the book at 3 AM, Vikrant was moved to tears, realizing the story’s emotional depth. He spoke of a powerful scene where Manoj’s father visits him at an atta-chakki, marking a moment where roles reversed, and the son took on the responsibilities of a father. Vikrant felt a personal connection to Manoj’s story, drawing parallels to a pivotal moment in his own life when he stepped up to support his father.

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The episode continued with lighter moments as well. Vikrant mentioned how Manoj and his wife Shraddha are both food enthusiasts, and Manoj fondly shared memories of their early days in Delhi when they lived on a tight budget, saving up for modest meals and setting small but meaningful goals as rewards for passing exams.

When it came time to answer questions, Manoj and Vikrant navigated through them successfully. With the help of the audience poll, they correctly identified Wavel Ramkalawan as the President of Seychelles for the ₹1,60,000 question. They used a "video call a friend" lifeline to answer another tricky question about Lord Louis Mountbatten’s title, accurately choosing “Burma” as the answer.

Vikrant reveals, “Nobody does this, but when 12th Fail became a success, did more than what it was supposed to do, all the unit members were given bonus equivalent of their remuneration.”

In an unexpected turn, Amitabh called Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who is known for his meticulous dedication, sharing a memory of how Chopra once scolded him for being 10 minutes late to set. Vikrant also recounted Chopra’s relentless pursuit of perfection while working on 12th Fail, especially with the film’s music, where he insisted on sourcing a 1960s sitar for the right sound.

The episode wrapped up with Manoj sharing an emotional tribute to his mother, reciting a poem that left everyone moved. His journey from the challenges of Chambal to becoming an IG and sharing the KBC stage reflected resilience, while Vikrant’s connection to Manoj’s story highlighted the actor’s commitment to authentically portraying lives of dedication and perseverance.