Vikrant Massey calls National Award a long-held dream, says he cannot take the honour for granted

January 17, 2026 - 2:06 PM IST

Vikrant Massey recently reflected on one of the most defining moments of his career — winning the National Film Award for Best Actor for 12th Fail. Speaking at the Republic Conclave, the actor opened up about what the honour means to him, his journey in front of the camera, and the responsibility that comes with such recognition.

Vikrant Massey calls National Award a long-held dream, says he cannot take the honour for granted

Calling the National Award a long-held dream, Vikrant traced his journey back to his early days in the industry. He said, “It was a very old dream of mine. I started my career in 2004 and I didn't know anything about acting.” Over time, as he learned the craft, his relationship with acting deepened beyond ambition. “When I started learning, I realized that I should spend my entire life in front of the camera, because telling stories and representing people is something that I really like,” he shared.

For Vikrant, the award is not just a moment of celebration but a reminder of accountability. He underlined the weight that comes with recognition, saying, “So it is a responsibility, because every actor dreams that his film should be appreciated and when that dream comes true, there is a lot of happiness but also responsibility that you have to work harder and better. And you cannot take the honour for granted.”

His performance as IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma in 12th Fail resonated widely for its honesty and emotional depth, turning the film into more than just a box-office success. The actor acknowledged the personal impact of the moment, especially when it came to sharing it with his family. “To tell you the truth… for a few hours, until we reached the hotel, we could not believe that we have lived this day,” Vikrant recalled.

Describing the day of the award ceremony, he added, “When something good is happening in life, that time passes very quickly. So from morning to night, the day passed and when we reached the hotel, we did not realize it. So we were just very happy.”

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