12th Fail director Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalls moment when he wanted to ‘kill himself’; says, ‘I was standing in Lonavala on a highway…’

12th Fail director Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalls moment when he wanted to ‘kill himself’; says, 'I was standing in Lonavala on a highway…’

As a fervent admirer of Vidhu Vinod Chopra‘s cinematic journey, I find his story both inspiring and heart-wrenching. His resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Standing on the brink of life, next to moving trucks in Lonavala, he was one moment away from taking a step that would have ended his story. Yet, it was his unwavering love for his family that held him back and propelled him towards the success he now enjoys.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who first stepped into direction with a short film in 1976, is now a highly recognized filmmaker in India. Not too long ago, this director shared his personal struggle when he contemplated suicide following the release of his initial full-length movie, Sazaye Maut. At that time, life had left him disenchanted and he found himself standing near trucks on the outskirts of Lonavala, but his affection for his family prevented him from taking a drastic step.

In a chat with NDTV, Vidhu Vinod Chopra shared insights about his latest film, Zero…Recharge, and reminisced about a difficult period in his life. The director spoke candidly about how he had contemplated suicide, an emotional low-point he detailed in his book Unscripted. Chopra admitted that he stood on the edge, so close to taking drastic action, as he was overwhelmed by feelings of despair.

He confided, “At one point, I contemplated ending my own life, feeling so disenchanted with existence. I found myself on a highway in Lonavala, near the passing trucks, where I could have stepped off and perished. However, it was my deep love for my family that prevented me from doing so.

After the release of his debut full-length feature film, Sazaye Maut, starring Naseeruddin Shah, the director and filmmaker confessed he felt disheartened. During this period, he was working on his next project, Khamosh, which later garnered significant acclaim. From thereon, the producer began to rebuild his life.

Vidhu first stepped into the director’s role with a short film titled “Murder at Monkey Hill.” After that, he directed successful movies such as “Khamosh,” “1942: A Love Story,” “Mission Kashmir,” and “Shikara.” He has also been involved in producing popular films like “Munna Bhai MBBS,” “PK,” “3 Idiots,” and “Sanju.

2024 marked the year I took the helm for Vikrant Massey’s starrer, “12th Fail.” This film, which earned rave reviews from critics, went on to become a blockbuster at the box office. To give audiences an even closer look behind the scenes of this captivating project, a documentary chronicling its creation was premiered in cinemas on December 13, 2024.

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2024-12-23 18:22