In the teaser for Zero Se Restart, acclaimed filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra takes audiences on a reflective journey back to their beginnings. Following the success of his 2023 biographical drama, 12th Fail, Chopra introduces this documentary that dives into the making of the original film while encouraging viewers to pause and assess their own life paths. The 125-second teaser presents compelling questions about ambition, morality, and purpose, inviting audiences to reconnect with their purest aspirations.
A Thought-Provoking Beginning
The teaser opens powerfully, with a black screen counting down from 20 seconds, urging viewers to focus and prepare for introspection. A voiceover prompts the audience to remember the day they first envisioned their dreams as children. “Do you remember the moment you told your mother you wanted to become a doctor, an engineer, an IAS officer, or even a movie star?” he asks. Then, unexpectedly, he questions if anyone also dreamed of “selling tobacco to the poor, robbing patients with bogus medicines, or mixing sand into cement for profit.” These provocative words serve as a reminder of how far our adult lives and compromises may sometimes diverge from the innocence and idealism of childhood dreams.
Reliving the Journey of ’12th Fail’
The teaser interweaves visuals from 12th Fail, with crowds of young people anxiously awaiting exam results, a scene emblematic of a pivotal life moment. Among these students, we see Manoj Kumar Sharma (portrayed by Vikrant Massey) and Shraddha Joshi (played by Medha Shankar) as they experience the intense emotions that come with passing the civil services exam. This scene, emblematic of their success against overwhelming odds, brings forth the triumphs and struggles that underpin 12th Fail.
As the voiceover reflects on this scene, it draws viewers back to their “zero moments” — those pure, untainted beginnings where ambitions were forged in innocence. “Let’s go back to zero again and meet our lost selves,” the narrator encourages, echoing the documentary’s overarching theme of rediscovery. Zero Se Restart promises to take audiences on a journey that mirrors the one Manoj and Shraddha undertake in the film, reconnecting them with the dreams they once cherished.
The Inspiration Behind the Film
Produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Jaskunwar Singh Kohli, Zero Se Restart is not merely a behind-the-scenes look at 12th Fail. It delves into the philosophical questions that the film raises about purpose, integrity, and resilience. Accompanied by Shantanu Moitra’s evocative music and Swanand Kirkire’s poignant lyrics, the documentary taps into an emotional core that resonates deeply with anyone who has faced setbacks or reconsidered their life choices. The teaser’s description on YouTube captures this essence, stating, “Each one of us has a ‘zero’ moment – a point where we truly began, filled with innocence and pure ambition. Let’s all head back and reconnect with our purest selves.”
Exploring the Real-Life Story of Manoj Kumar Sharma
12th Fail, based on Anurag Pathak’s 2019 non-fiction book, chronicles the story of Manoj Kumar Sharma, a man who rose from extreme poverty to become an IPS officer. His journey of resilience, determination, and unwavering ambition became an instant hit among audiences, resonating with people across social and economic backgrounds. The film’s portrayal of Sharma’s journey, with Vikrant Massey’s compelling performance, grounded the story in realism and raw emotion. Shubhra Gupta, in her review for SCREEN, noted how 12th Fail “cleaves close to ground reality, with characters that make you feel like they’ve wandered off the street, dishing out life-lessons laced with dollops of inspiration.”
An Ensemble Cast and Global Stage for ‘Zero Se Restart’
In addition to Vikrant Massey and Medha Shankar, 12th Fail featured a stellar cast including Anant V Joshi, Anshumaan Pushkar, Priyanshu Chatterjee, and Geeta Aggarwal Sharma, each contributing to the film’s authentic representation of struggles and aspirations. Zero Se Restart will carry this momentum forward, adding a reflective layer that invites audiences to introspect as they learn about the creative and philosophical choices that went into 12th Fail. The documentary is set to make its world premiere at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa on November 21, before its theatrical release on December 13, marking its entry onto a global stage.
An Invitation for Viewers to Reflect
Zero Se Restart poses a universal question: Are we truly living the lives we envisioned as children? Chopra’s teaser doesn’t simply celebrate the success of 12th Fail; it urges viewers to examine their own life choices. This message resonates deeply in a world where ambitions often clash with compromises. By taking us “back to zero,” Chopra suggests that reconnecting with our childhood dreams may be the key to finding a sense of fulfillment and purpose in adulthood. The documentary is thus more than just a celebration of 12th Fail’s success — it is a call for personal reflection, challenging viewers to rediscover the idealistic, hopeful individuals they once were.
As Zero Se Restart gears up for its release, it promises to be both a behind-the-scenes journey into the making of 12th Fail and a philosophical exploration of ambition and purpose. By revisiting our “zero moments,” Chopra’s documentary encourages us to reflect on our lives and question whether we have strayed from the paths we once envisioned. Set against the backdrop of 12th Fail’s inspiring story, Zero Se Restart is an invitation to reconnect with the dreams that shaped us, prompting viewers to pause, ponder, and, perhaps, find the courage to restart their own journeys.