Vikrant Massey has left everyone shocked. The actor, who is known to be one of the most versatile stars of today, announced his retirement. He is only 37 and basking in the success of his recent projects like 12th Fail, Sector 36, Phir Aayi Haseen Dillruba and The Sabarmati Report. This decision has left everyone speculating about the reasons behind his sudden exit. Is it a promotional gimmick? Or is it lack of ambition? Some also see this as a stint similar to Shah Rukh Khan who took a 4-year long break after the debacle of Zero (2018), and came back way stronger with Pathaan and Jawan. But with his recent successes, Vikrant doesn't have a reason to, so is it a career death in an industry where 'jo dikhta hai wohi bikta hai?' Let's look at the possible reasons why Vikrant has done the unthinkable.
Behind a supremely talented actor, deep down Vikrant Massey has always been a family man. In his retirement post, he mentioned the need to recalibrate and focus on his roles as a husband, father, and son. This highlights how committed he is to personal growth and the well-being of his loved ones. It is no shock that this sentiment resonates deeply with those working in the industry which is known and criticized for its relentless pace and demanding nature.
One thing that sets Massey apart is his choice of thoughtful roles. But the fact that he has chosen to take a step back at the peak of his career hints at his way of standing by what he believes in and refusing to compromise on his principles. It is a strong statement that if he cannot leave a lasting impact through meaningful work, he rather not work.
But not all is lost. For fans who are worried that they would miss seeing one of the finest actors on the big screen and OTT, Vikrant has Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyaan with Shanaya Kapoor, and before that he has Zero Se Restart, a documentary by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, exploring the behind the scenes of 12th Fail. He is also speculated to play the villain in Don 3 opposite Ranveer Singh and we may possibly see him in Mirzapur The Film. But will that be it? Will that really be the end of a film career for Vikrant Massey? Unlikely! A source close to the star exclusively spoke to BollywoodLife and shared that, "Vikrant is an ambitious guy and loves his craft. However, he doesn't want to stay limited to just acting." The actor who has done TV, films and OTT is now hungry for more. "But he doesn't want to rush into things unprepared and unplanned. Vikrant will certainly be back but in a role that transcends acting," said the source. Is filmmaking on the cards? "Cannot rule out the possibility of him trying his hand at direction or turning into a producer to give shape to ideas that are close to his heart and in sync with his belief system," shared the source.
Vikrant Massey's decision to retire does hint at the pressures and complexities that are a part of the entertainment industry. But it also speaks volumes about his strategic thinking, commitment to personal values, and his stand against the systemic issues within Bollywood. So as fans, let's manifest that this is only a temporary farewell and that Massey will return with added passion and brilliance that has defined his career.
