Meet Anurag Pathak: Author of the Famous Book Turned Movie “Twelfth Fail”

Who is Anurag Pathak?

Anurag Pathak is a Hindi author, born in Gwalior in August 1976. He attended Maharani Laxmibai Arts and Commerce College, where he earned his MA and PhD in Hindi Literature.

Pathak made his literary debut with “WhatsApp Par Kranti”. But he gained widespread recognition with his second book “Twelfth Fail”. This was recently adapted into a movie in 2023.

Anurag’s work has been praised for its insightful portrayal of life’s complexities. While Anurag is an author by profession, he is also passionate about Hindi literature. Something we can see through in his engaging Hindi narratives. He continues to captivate audiences with his compelling storytelling and remains a prominent figure in the world of Hindi literature.

Twelfth Fail

About the book –

How does a village student, living with uncertainty about his next meal or home, who failed his boards, go on to a career in the civil services? With integrity, inventiveness, and a never-say-die spirit.

In IPS officer Manoj Kumar Sharma’s case, there was also the promise of love.

Twelfth Fail is his extraordinary story, the gripping narrative of a man who put his heart and soul into making the impossible possible.

Praise for the book –

This book has been read and praised by many including sportsmen, filmmakers, government officials, and others. This subsequently let to its movie adaptation by Netflix.

Some praises received are:

‘Motivational and lucid! I believe this novel will inspire millions of youth to fulfil their dreams.’—Sachin Tendulkar, cricketer

‘A novel that gives hope and strength to face any adversity.’— Vijay Kumar, former advisor to the Governor, Jammu and Kashmir

‘Characters in this novel sometimes remind me of characters in the film 3 Idiots.’— Rajkumar Hirani, filmmaker

‘An amazing book that teaches determination, dedication and discipline.’—Sunil Gavaskar, cricket icon

‘An inspirational story.’—Rajat Sharma, editor-in-chief and chairman, India TV

‘Luck smiles on those who have courage, will power and dedication. This novel is about the wonders their balance can accomplish.’—Ashutosh Rana, actor

‘This book is a must read if you have the courage to dream big.’—Ujjwal Nikam, special public prosecutor, India

‘A convincing account of human struggle—both financial and psychological.’—Manoj Bajpayee, actor

‘This novel makes one believe nothing is impossible.’—Anurag Kashyap, Bollywood filmmaker

‘A riveting narrative.’—O.P. Rawat, former Chief Election Commissioner of India

‘Read this book to overcome self-doubt.’—Dibang, journalist, ABP news

‘Even if the most depressed person goes through this novel, she will feel reinvigorated.’—Anand Kumar, mathematician and founder, Super 30

Excerpt from Twelfth Fail:

A visibly enthused Manoj reached Rakesh’s house and found Vishnu already there. ‘Rakesh,’ Manoj announced, ‘I wish to become an SDM, just like Dushyant Sir.’

‘I am sure you will,’ said Rakesh, collecting buffalo dung in a basket. ‘It isn’t such a big deal. They do not come down from the sky. Those who become SDMs are also mortals like us.’ Vishnu had dissolved into laughter at twelfth-fail Manoj making such grand plans and now clapped hysterically, still laughing. Once he calmed down a bit, he told Manoj not to be a braggart. ‘Forget about becoming a deputy collector; it’s a tall ask anyway. You aren’t good enough for even a clerical job. A twelfth fail wants to be an SDM! Huh! A man shouldn’t dream beyond his means.’

This truth crushed the seeds of ambition beginning to take root in Manoj’s heart; the ridicule shattered his dream. A twelfth fail had no right to nurture such high goals. He sat down dismayed, his head drooping. But Rakesh was not convinced. ‘I still hold that if a man perseveres, he can become whoever he wants to be,’ he said, scooping up a second pile of dung. Vishnu turned to him with scorn. ‘What do you know about studies? Focus on the dung in your basket. When someone like me with a first division in class twelve, doesn’t have the nerve to think of becoming a deputy collector, can a twelfth fail achieve this feat? Out of the millions who sit for the exam, barely fifteen or twenty candidates make it through.’

The faint glimmer of hope that had briefly shone after the reassurance from Rakesh suddenly disappeared. Thanks to Vishnu, the storm that raged in Manoj’s head now abated. Meanwhile, Rakesh was humbly admitting he was no scholar. ‘I am an illiterate simpleton in the habit of blurting out whatever comes to my mind. Please don’t feel offended, Vishnu.’

Pleased at his triumph, Vishnu turned to counsel Manoj. ‘You can’t clear class twelve, not in this life. So take my advice. Our village lacks a decent eatery and there is a great demand for samosas, mangode and jalebis. It’s more profitable to fry mangode than to drive a tempo. Spend some time training under Babulal Mangodewallah of Joura, and then start your own shop in the village.’

Rakesh’s buffaloes, having gone out to graze in the fields, were now returning having eaten their fill. A little calf had followed its mother too, prancing its way back home. When Rakesh saw Vishnu getting a little carried away and the tension ratcheting up, he tried to distract him. ‘You worry too much, Vishnu. Listen, will you please do something for me? Tether Roopa to the peg. Meanwhile, I’ll water the calf.’

Content with the outcome of the debate, Vishnu readily acceded to the request. The buffalo, however, was not so happy. Accustomed to being shepherded by Rakesh, it got agitated, shook its neck violently and charged. In his hurry to get away, Vishnu fell on his back. Rakesh quickly intervened and the cause of all the commotion was quietly led away by him. Stunned by the assault, Vishnu was breathing rapidly. As soon as he composed himself, he berated Rakesh.

Rakesh smiled and told him, ‘In the beginning, Roopa used to charge at me too; she even knocked me over once or twice. But gradually, as she started recognizing me, her aggression disappeared. And now, she’s become really smart. She goes out alone to graze in the distant fields, and returns home all by herself.’ And he caressed Roopa’s neck, who responded to the touch of affection by shaking her head.

‘Look here, Vishnu, thanks to daily practice, this buffalo has memorized the route back home. If animals can learn a trick by repetition, can’t we humans too? Nothing is impossible for a man. Only practice makes one perfect.’ Using a proverb he had learnt as a child, Rakesh had said it all.

An illiterate philosophizing about success, that too using his buffalo as an example, was beyond Vishnu’s expectations; it took him by surprise. And once again, a spark of hope dispelled the thick blanket of darkness that had enveloped Manoj’s mind.

About the Translators –

Twelfth Fail was originally written by Anurag Pathak, a Hindi author. Later it was translated by Gautam Choubey and Lalit Kumar which contributed greatly to its success and adaptation.

Gautam Choubey:

Gautam Choubey teaches English at Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College, University of Delhi. His English translation of Pandey Kapil’s celebrated historical-fiction Phoolsunghi (Penguin, 2020) is the first ever translation of a Bhojpuri novel. He has also translated Andre Beitelle’s Democracy and Its Institutions (OUP) in Hindi, and 12^th fail in English.

Lalit Kumar:

Lalit Kumar teaches English at Deen Dayal Upadhyaya College, University of Delhi. He has co-translated the Hindi bestseller Twelfth Fail (HarperCollins, 2021) into English. He holds a doctorate in Maithili literary culture and the coming of print in Mithila from the department of English, University of Delhi. His articles have appeared in many national dailies, including The Hindu, The Times of India and Jansatta.