Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 23: Actor Vikrant Massey was conferred the National Award for Best Actor for his powerful performance in 12th Fail, receiving the honor from the President of India at a ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Tuesday.

Describing the experience as “nothing short of surreal,” Vikrant reflected on his journey from a young dreamer to a National Award-winning actor. “It’s the proudest moment of my life,” he said. “This is a dream that a 20-year-old boy once envisioned, and to see it realized today — with my mother and wife by my side — feels incredibly fulfilling.”

In 12th Fail, Vikrant portrayed IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma, a role rooted in a real-life story that resonated widely for its emotional depth and raw authenticity. The film and his performance earned widespread acclaim, especially for its honest depiction of struggle, resilience, and hope.

Vikrant shared the Best Actor title with Shah Rukh Khan, who was honored for his performance in Jawan. Acknowledging this, Vikrant remarked, “It is a privilege to be sharing my first National Award with an icon like Shah Rukh Khan.”

Grateful for the audience’s support, he added, “I am eternally thankful to everyone who embraced 12th Fail and shared it with love. If this award is a testament to my commitment to the craft, I promise to continue working hard — to entertain, inform, and remain worthy of people’s time and trust.”

The actor also used the moment to dedicate his award to those often overlooked in society. “This award is for all the marginalised people — those who are looked through and continue to fight the socio-economic barriers of our country every day.”

Vikrant, now 38, is set to take on a new challenge in his upcoming film White, where he will portray spiritual leader Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in a highly anticipated biopic.