New Delhi: Actor Vikrant Massey’s Instagram announcement that he is retiring from the film industry has left fans shocked. The 12th Fail star is only 37 years old and less than 50 films old. “He had the potential to be the next Irrfan Khan in five years,” said trade analyst Rohit Jaswal.
Massey is the first Bollywood star to officially announce his retirement on social media. He wants to “recalibrate” and “go back home, as a husband, father, a son and also as an actor”. He said that 2025 will be his last year in the film industry.
“The last few years and beyond have been phenomenal. I thank each and every one of you for your indelible support,” Massey wrote.
Trade analysts, fans and critics are already hoping that the actor will make a comeback in the future. Film critic Ramesh Bala is of the view that Massey may return to the entertainment industry by 2027. In the past, even stars like Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan have taken a break, but they always returned, he said.
“Massey might need some time with family but it isn’t a permanent retirement, that’s my read on it.”
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Post-Sabarmati
Massey’s decision has come at the heels of his recently released film The Sabarmati Report, based on the 2002 Godhra train burning incident. The film, made with a budget of Rs 50 crore, has brought in just under Rs 30 crore after three weekends in theatres. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to watch the movie on Monday afternoon.
Before The Sabarmati Report, Massey won praise for his performance in Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba and was crowned the Best Actor at the 2024 Critics’ Choice Awards for his role as Manoj Kumar Sharma in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 12th Fail.
In his Instagram post, the actor mentioned that he has two more films pending—Yaar Jigri and Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan—which are set to release next year.
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15-year run
Massey has been a part of the entertainment industry for over 15 years. After his television debut in Disney’s Dhoom Machao Dhoom (2007), he went on to appear in daily soaps like Balika Vadhu and Dharam Veer.
Massey debuted in films with Vikramaditya Motwane’s Lootera (2013), starring Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha. He first starred in a lead role in actor Konkana Sen Sharma’s directorial debut A Death In The Gunj (2017).
His foray into OTT platforms became a turning point in his career with performances in Broken But Beautiful (2018), Mirzapur (2018) and Criminal Justice (2019).
“It’s a journey worth remembering,” said Jaswal. “Everything he has accomplished is solely because of his talent and hard work. No controversy ever fueled his success.”
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)