Offering a Candid Glimpse into the Making of 12th Fail
Audiences who were deeply moved by Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s acclaimed film 12th Fail can now step behind the camera and into the heart of its creation with the newly released documentary Zero Se Restart, now streaming exclusively on Prime Video in India and across 200+ countries.
Far more than a traditional behind-the-scenes feature, Zero Se Restart is a raw, emotional, and often humorous chronicle of the creative rollercoaster that shaped 12th Fail into a cinematic success. Edited and directed by Jaskunwar Singh Kohli, and produced by Vinod Chopra Films, the 85-minute documentary condenses over 18,000 minutes of footage captured across three years into an immersive look at the filmmaking journey—from uncertainty and rewrites to breakthroughs and belief.
Filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, known for his unfiltered candor, calls the film a reflection of artistic vulnerability. “At first glance, Zero Se Restart might feel like a standard making-of feature. But it’s really a deeper story—about starting from scratch, about the grit and grace that fuel creativity,” said Chopra.
Kohli, who shadowed Chopra through every phase of 12th Fail, said the documentary is a treasure trove for aspiring filmmakers. “Nothing was scripted. We simply selected the most vibrant moments from three years of filming with one of India’s finest directors. It’s educational, entertaining, and a masterclass in storytelling,” he said.
Actor Vikrant Massey, who played the lead role in 12th Fail, shared his own emotional takeaway: “Watching this documentary brought back the sheer intensity of that shoot—no safety net, no guarantees, just conviction. It’s a reminder that courage and chaos often go hand in hand in filmmaking.”
Zero Se Restart reveals how 12th Fail, a film based on real-life struggles and resilience, mirrored those very themes in its production. With no guarantees of commercial success, the cast and crew embarked on a challenging journey led by a director who believed in chasing authenticity at all costs.
Now available to stream on Prime Video, Zero Se Restart invites viewers to witness the unfiltered realities of filmmaking—and perhaps find inspiration to begin their own journey from zero.
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