From Television to a National Award: The Vikrant Massey Story
Vikrant Massey began his journey on television in 2004. The shows included Dharam Veer, Balika Vadhu, Baba Aiso Varr Dhoondo and Qubool Hai. Daily TV is where many young actors learn their craft, and also where many are told they will never make it to cinema.
His move to films was not instant stardom. He made every small role count. Over the years he built a filmography of A Death in the Gunj, Cargo, Chhapaak and Haseen Dillruba, choosing characters with depth over commercial appeal. There was no single big break. He kept doing honest work and let it add up
Then came 12th Fail. He played IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, a young man from a humble background who fought poverty, self-doubt and the pressure of the UPSC exam. The film, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and based on Anurag Pathak's book, also won Best Feature Film. Audiences saw their own struggles in that story, and that is what made it travel. (filmfaremiddleeast) (deccanchronicle)
At the 71st National Film Awards, Vikrant won Best Actor, sharing the honour with Shah Rukh Khan, who won for Jawan. By his own account, it was the first National Film Award for both of them. Moments before receiving it, he said, his mind was on following protocol and getting a good photograph with the President to hang at home. It was a very human thought for a big moment.
He is now preparing for White, in which he plays spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. The journey continues, but it began in 2004, in small TV roles.
What artists can take from this: a career is built in the small roles. Keep your showreel growing, say yes to work that teaches you something, and be ready for the one role that fits you
Images in this article are AI-generated illustrations. Facts are from published news reports.