Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s OTT hit ‘12th fail’ captivated audiences everywhere with its breathtaking portrayal of Manoj Kumar Sharma, IPS’ inspiring success story. It is based of the book of the same name chronicling the same journey written by Anurag Pathak. Manoj Kumar, in a recent interview revealed the significant role that the author played in his success. He revealed the author was the main reason that he was able to pursue his UPSC dreams while he was in Delhi. Providing financial and emotional aid asking for nothing in return, his friendship was paramount for Sharma to crack the toughest exam of the country. But who is this inspiring personality. Here is more about the prolific author and how he helped his friend in becoming an IPS officer:
Anurag Pathak is an Indore–based writer. He has previously published a collection of stories titled WhatsApp Par Kranti. Born in Gwalior on 5 August 1976, he holds a PhD in Hindi literature. In the movie, his role in Sharma’s life is mirrored by the character of Pritam Pandey, portrayed by Anant V. Joshi. He introduces Manoj to the UPSC world, setting him on the path to becoming an IPS officer. According to Manoj, he is the one responsible for keeping Manoj on track. He said that Anurag used to give his parent’s allowance to Manoj to support his endeavours. This act of kindness blossoms into a friendship that provides Manoj with the encouragement and support need to navigate the challenging journey.
Anurag Pathak, who wrote the book ’12th Fail,’ is a close friend of Manoj Kumar Sharma. In addition to being friends, Pathak, witnessing Sharma’s dedication to woo Shraddha Joshi, advised him to prioritize his studies over pursuing a romantic relationship. This highlights the genuine concern and camaraderie between the two friends.