Former national badminton champion and two-time Olympian Dipankar Bhattacharjee took to social media to share his reflections on the recently released film ‘12th Fail’, praising its realistic portrayal of the struggles and aspirations of UPSC Civil Services aspirants.
Assam-born Bhattacharjee, who watched the movie and found it relatable, shared his journey of transitioning from a promising badminton career, cut short by injuries in 1998, to pursuing a career in the Indian Administrative Services (IAS). Recounting his serious commitment to IAS preparation, he highlighted attending coaching classes and guest lectures by in-service IAS officers in Guwahati.
Similar to the protagonist in the film, Bhattacharjee recalled a significant moment during a Public Administration class when his answer was chosen as the best, emphasizing the importance of determination and desperation in achieving success. Despite making two attempts and not qualifying, he acknowledged that the level of desperation portrayed in the movie might have been lacking in his pursuit.
“Perhaps, the utter desperation and the burning desire of the protagonist as depicted in the movie was missing in me as I already had a comfortable job with Indian Oil to fall back on,” he wrote.
Dipankar Bhattacharjee represented India in the 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Bhattacharjee urged everyone to watch ’12th Fail’, describing it as realistically inspirational and emphasizing the message that unless one reaches a state of utmost desperation and maintains an unwavering determination, significant success in various fields, including academics, sports, or other careers, may remain elusive.
The former Olympian’s perspective adds a unique and personal touch to the endorsement of the film, resonating with individuals who may have faced similar dilemmas in their pursuit of diverse career options.
