With Rs 200 earnings, he survived on only biscuits and water to pay for education. Today, he is a National Award-winning actor

Vikrant Massey is celebrating his 33rd birthday today, April. The actor won the National Film Award for the 2023 biographical drama 12th Fail, directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. But his journey to stardom was not a bed of roses, as recalled by Vikrant in several of his interviews. So, on the occasion of his birthday, let’s take a look at Vikrant’s journey to stardom. In a video posted on Instagram by Humans of Bombay, it was revealed that Vikrant lived in a modest 1BHK home in Mumbai.

Vikrant Massey’s struggle

Raised in a middle-class, multi-faith household with a Christian father and a Sikh mother, Vikrant Massey’s childhood was shaped by financial struggles. At one point, his family even lived in a godown for nearly a year, highlighting the extent of their hardships. By the age of 16, he had already stepped into the world of work, determined to support his education. He worked long hours, sometimes up to 16 hours a day, surviving on Parle-G biscuits and water. Acting was not initially a dream but a necessity.



Vikrant Massey started out as a background dancer and earned just Rs 200 for his first assignment, a medical catalogue shoot. His early break in television came unexpectedly when a producer noticed him while he was serving tables. Although that particular project never saw the light of day due to legal issues, it marked the beginning of his journey. Vikrant eventually became a familiar face on Indian television with popular shows like Balika Vadhu, Baba Aiso Varr Dhoondo, and Qubool Hai.

Vikrant Massey’s entry into Bollywood

At the peak of his TV career, Vikrant Massey made a bold decision to leave behind the security of stardom and start from scratch in films. In Bollywood, he took on smaller roles like the friend, the brother, the supporting character, but approached each with sincerity, firmly believing that no role is insignificant if performed with honesty. His persistence paid off with notable performances in projects like Mirzapur, where he played Bablu Pandit, and the critically acclaimed film A Death in the Gunj.



These roles paved the way for bigger opportunities, eventually leading Vikrant Massey to 12th Fail, which became a turning point in his career. For the film, he underwent intense preparation, choosing to forgo makeup and instead spending weeks under the sun to physically transform himself, allowing the harsh conditions to reflect authentically on his skin. His dedication earned him the Filmfare Critics Award and the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actor, cementing his place as one of the finest performers of his generation.

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In a surprising move at the peak of his career, Vikrant Massey later spoke about ‘recalibrating’ his priorities, choosing to focus on his personal life as a husband and father. Today, he stands as a testament to resilience and self-belief, proving that success is not defined by how far one moves away from their roots, but by the courage to stay grounded and return to what truly matters.