Vikrant Massey was always that guy—talented, versatile, and reliable, someone people admired but never really saw as a star. And he was mostly seen in OTT and mid-budget Hindi films. Then came '12th Fail', and everything changed. The film made him a name that even casual moviegoers started celebrating. This isn’t new in showbiz though. So many actors (and also singers) spend years, doing great work, waiting for that one breakthrough project to make it big. And when it finally happens? The industry, the audience, and the brands—everyone starts looking at them differently. That's why Massey's career can be divided into two eras: before '12th Fail' and 'after 12th Fail'. But the real question is what happens next? Some ride the wave and reach even greater heights, while others, well… fade away just as quickly.
Born on April 3, 1987, Vikrant Massey celebrates his 38th birthday today. On this occasion, let's have a look at his career after '12th Fail', and understand his recent performance at the box office.
After the success of '12th Fail', it would have been easy for Massey to take on a similar kind of role and capitalize on the momentum. However, he chose to step into a completely different genre with 'Blackout', a crime-comedy thriller released on JioCinema. He played Lenny D’Souza, a crime reporter caught in chaos during a citywide blackout. The film was an ambitious attempt to blend humor with suspense, but it didn’t land as expected. Critic Shubhra Gupta gave it 0.5 stars, criticizing its incoherent storytelling. Commercially, 'Blackout' failed to make an impact, but Massey’s willingness to experiment and his commitment to the role was not in question.
(Credit: taranadarsh)
In 2024, Massey reunited with Taapsee Pannu for 'Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba', the sequel to the 2021 romantic thriller. He reprised his role as Rishabh, a character deeply entwined in a twisted love story. While his performance remained strong, the film itself received mixed reviews. Critic Rishabh Suri wrote, "Taapsee Pannu and Vikrant Massey film lacks originality, leaves you unsatisfied", while Anuj Kumar opined, "The dangers and deception that defined the 2021 dark romantic thriller feel contrived in the sequel."
Review - Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba
— Rohit Jaiswal (@rohitjswl01) August 9, 2024
“Hasseen Sirr Dardd = Disappointing ”
The highly anticipated sequel unfortunately, fails to impress.
With a weak storyline, poor narration, and predictable suspense, the film drags on unnecessarily, testing the viewer's patience, neither… pic.twitter.com/i3fzFIlMHh
(Credit: Rohit Jaiswal)
'Sector 36' saw Massey taking a dark turn, portraying a psychopathic murderer in a crime thriller inspired by the 2006 Noida serial murders. His performance was widely praised, with critic Shomini Sen calling it one of his most gripping portrayals in recent times. However, the film received mixed reviews and performed moderately.
In his review, critic Shubhra Gupta stated that "Vikrant Massey, in a 360-degree turnaround from the sincere student of 12th Fail, works at making his Prem believable, his unctuous smile and creepy banter hiding his real self: this is not a man you would want waiting for you on a dark street." Saibal Chatterjee, on the other hand, gave the film 2 stars out of 5 and said "A portrait of a psychopath is never easy to pull off. 'Sector 36', inspired by the 2005-2006 Nithari killings, attempts the task without achieving much success."
(Credit: Netflix India)
Massey recently starred in 'The Sabarmati Report', a film about the 2002 Godhra train burning incident. He played a photojournalist covering the tragedy. While his performance was appreciated, the film received mixed-to-negative reviews. Hindustan Times noted that while Massey shined, the storytelling fell flat. Commercially, the film struggled, just like several other recent Hindi films on real events.
Post-'12th Fail', Vikrant Massey might not have hit the same high again, but it’s clear he is not one to play it safe. His willingness to break away from the conventions and take risks with diverse roles/genres speaks volumes about his dedication to his craft. And without an iota of doubt, he is a truly exceptional actor with a future that’s as bright as ever. On his birthday today, we wish him all the success for the road ahead. For those who don’t know, his lineup includes 'Arjun Ustara', 'Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan', and 'Yaar Jigri' among others.
