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Vikrant Massey clarifies his break from acting, revealing he suffered burnout and felt ashamed missing his son’s early moments.
Vikrant Massey was bestowed with the prestigious 71st National Film Awards for his biographical drama 12th Fail.
In December 2024, the film industry was rocked when National Award-winning actor Vikrant Massey announced a sudden break from movies. Given his soaring trajectory following the massive success of 12th Fail, the post was widely interpreted as a shock retirement. However, in an interview with Times Now, during the channel’s 20th Anniversary Special Broadcast, Massey set the record straight, revealing the profound emotional exhaustion and personal regrets that fueled his decision.
The ‘Retirement’ Misunderstanding and Creative Burnout
Addressing the viral social media post, Vikrant explained that the platform’s constraints played a role in the confusion. “X pe jitney bhi limited shabd aapko milte hain, usme mene sari imformation bharne ki koshish ki and now we know ki sari information pahochi nahi. A lot of it was misconstrued. I just wanted to take a break. I was facing a severe burnout at that time,” he shared.
The actor noted that the industry often overlooks the emotional labor involved in performance. Beyond the grueling 16-hour shifts, Vikrant highlighted the mental toll of portraying complex characters across four films in a single year, including 12th Fail and The Sabarmati Report. He realized that his performances were becoming monotonous and decided he needed to “go back to the drawing board” to better himself as an artist.
Prioritizing Family Over Commercial Success
Perhaps the most touching part of the conversation was Vikrant’s reflection on his role as a father. His son, Vardaan, was born during a period of relentless work, and the actor confessed to feeling a deep sense of shame over his absence. He recalled witnessing his son’s first words and first steps only through videos sent by his wife, Sheetal Thakur.
“What’s the point of success if you can’t enjoy the moments you’re working for?” he questioned, recalling the heartbreak of missing his son saying “Papa” for the first time. This realization served as a wake-up call that while commercial success and blessings are transient, the early years of his child’s life are irreplaceable. During his seven-month hiatus, he chose to focus on being a husband and father, understanding that work could wait but family could not.
Despite the break, Vikrant’s professional slate remains busy. Fans can look forward to his performance in Vishal Bhardwaj’s romantic thriller O’Romeo, releasing on February 13, 2026. He is also making his debut as a producer with the Netflix series Musafir Cafe, a project he describes as a “new phase” in his journey.
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February 07, 2026, 05:27 IST
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