Vikrant Massey announces temporary break from acting
Mumbai: Actor Vikrant Massey, known for his performances in films like 12th Fail and The Sabarmati Report, announced on December 1 that he is taking a temporary break from acting. The news, shared through an Instagram post, has left fans and the film industry surprised.
In his heartfelt post, Massey expressed his need to "recalibrate" and reflect on his journey. He wrote about cherishing the memories from his last two films and the impact they had on him. The actor, however, did not specify how long this break would last, leaving his return to acting uncertain.
In the note on Instagram, Vikrant Massey wrote, “Hello, The last few years and beyond have been phenomenal. I thank each and every one of you for your indelible support. But as I move forward, I realise it’s time to recalibrate and go back home. As a Husband, Father & a Son. And also as an Actor. So coming 2025, we would meet each other for one last time.Until time deems right. Last 2 movies and many a years of memories. Thank you again. For everything and everything in between. Forever indebted!”
The announcement follows the recent release of The Sabarmati Report, which has received mixed responses but has failed to make a mark on the box office despite tax relaxations.
Critics had pointed out that The Sabarmati Report lacks balance and depth in its portrayal of the events surrounding the 2002 Godhra train burning and its aftermath. The film has been criticised for presenting a skewed narrative that oversimplifies a complex tragedy, reducing it to a one-sided story. Critics argue that by ignoring the nuanced reportage of both the Godhra tragedy and the ensuing riots, and instead framing the media landscape as a binary battle between honest, pro-Hindu Hindi journalism and elite, mendacious English journalism, the film undermines its own credibility. Many have also noted its overt attempts to align with the current political establishment, glossing over the role of local publications and selectively dramatizing facts to suit a particular agenda.
Additionally, Massey was honoured with the prestigious Indian Film Personality of the Year award at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, recognising his contributions to Indian cinema.
Vikrant Massey’s recent announcement has left his fans surprised and emotional. One fan commented, “I hope it’s not true,” while another expressed, “Why would you do that? There are hardly any actors like you. We need good cinema.” A third fan shared, “Please don’t do this…I relate your 'Broken but Beautiful' so much with my life. Seeing this post feels like Elina left Samsang, and now Veer is leaving me with those memories.”
Another admirer praised his acting, saying, “You’re my favourite actor. Your eyes are so expressive when you act. We will wait for you to come back soon.” Many fans have extended their best wishes, hoping for his strong return.
Vikrant is currently working on two films, Yaar Jigri and Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. After rising to fame with Balika Vadhu, his career reached new heights with 12th Fail.
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'Traitor' jibe: HC issues notice to police, Sena MLA on Kamra's plea against FIR
Mumbai (PTI): The Bombay High Court on Tuesday issued a notice to Mumbai police and Shiv Sena MLA Murji Patel on comedian Kunal Kamra's plea challenging an FIR lodged against him for allegedly passing a "traitor" jibe at Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.
A division bench of Justices Sarang Kotwal and S M Modak said it would hear Kamra's petition on April 16.
The comedian has failed to appear before the Mumbai police for questioning despite three summons issued to him.
Following a complaint by Sena MLA Murji Patel, the Khar police in Mumbai last month registered the FIR against Kamra under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections 353(1)(b) (statements conducing to public mischief) and 356(2) (defamation).
"Issue notice to the respondents (police and Patel). They shall take instructions and respond to the plea," the HC said.
Three FIRs registered against the comedian at Nashik Rural, Jalgaon and Nashik (Nandgaon) have also been transferred to the Khar police.
Kamra's counsel Navroz Seervai informed the Bombay HC bench that the Madras High Court on Monday extended till April 17 the earlier interim transit anticipatory bail granted to the comedian.
The petitioner has offered in writing thrice to the police to allow him to appear for questioning via video conference in light of the dangers and threat to his life, Seervai said.
"It seems that the police authorities are not so keen on recording his statement but more on bringing him here physically," the senior counsel claimed.
Kamra is presently in Tamil Nadu where he has been residing since 2021, as per his plea.
"This is not a case of murder. It is an FIR that has stemmed from a stand-up comedy show. He (Kamra) is ready to cooperate with the probe but through video conference," Seervai said.
The bench said it would consider all issues on April 16.
During the show, stand-up comedian Kamra had taunted Shinde, without taking his name, using a modified version of a Hindi song from the film "Dil To Pagal Hai" where he called him a "gaddar" (traitor).
The comedian went on to joke about how Shinde rebelled against Uddhav Thackeray's leadership (in June 2022).
In his plea filed on April 5, Kamra claimed the complaints against him were violative of his fundamental rights of freedom of speech and expression, right to practice any profession and business and right to life and liberty guaranteed under the Constitution of India.
He sought for the FIR to be quashed, claiming the allegations, even if taken at face value, do not constitute an offence.
The comedian also sought the HC to protect him from any coercive action including arrest, seizure of his personal electronic devices and examination of his financial transactions and accounts.
"To permit the investigation to continue would constitute a frontal assault on the freedom of speech and expression. Should a citizen's right to comment on the political developments and actions of political leaders be criminalised in this manner?" the petition said.
Kamra said his remarks made regarding the split in the Shiv Sena, Shinde quitting Uddhav Thackeray's Sena faction and being sworn in as the chief minister at the time (in 2022) are all part of records.
The plea said the FIR has been registered on a stand-up comedy performance, which provides satirical commentary on various social and political events of the country.
There has been a gross abuse of process and the malafide deployment of the criminal justice machinery by a member of the state's legislative assembly, resulting in a patent violation of a citizen's fundamental rights, it claimed.
As per the petition, Kamra wrote the show's script in July 2024 and performed it on 60 occasions between August last year and February 2025.
A recording of the show was uploaded only in March 2025, pursuant to which case was lodged, it said.
