Filmmaker Sanjay Gupta, and actresses Mouni Roy, Dia Mirza and Akansha Ranjan were among the Bollywood celebrities who came out in support of actor Vikrant Massey following his retirement announcement on Monday. His 12th Fail co-star Medha Shankr also reacted to the development.

Vikrant announced a retirement from acting on Monday at the age of 37, citing the need to “recalibrate and go back home” for his family. As per media reports, Vikrant is currently working on two films — Yaar Jigri and Aankhon Ki Gustaakhiyan. “So coming 2025, we will meet each other for one last time. Until time deems right,” he said, thanking fans for their immense support over the years.

Sanjay Gupta, known for his remakes of Hollywood action-thrillers like Aatish, Kaante, Kaabil, Shootout at Lokhandwala and Shootout at Wadala, defended Vikrant’s decision on X. Sanjay drew parallels between Vikrant and filmmaker Hansal Mehta, who had also 'recalibrated, reinvented himself' in the past, to come back stronger with the blockbuster film Shahid.

“In 2008 Hansal Mehta left the film industry and Mumbai. Along with his family he shifted to a small village called Malawali in Lonavala. He recalibrated, reinvented himself and in 2012 came back with SHAHID his career best and has never looked back,” the 55-year-old director tweeted.

While fans remain divided over whether it is a full retirement, a brief hiatus from acting or a PR stunt, Sanjay asked them in another tweet whether they realise how brave Vikrant’s decision is. “Do you realize the guts it takes to do that? To walk away from it all in spite of having a family to look after and the possibility of never directing again? It takes guts, resilience and an insane amount of belief in yourself,” The Miranda Brothers director wrote.

Sanjay said that Vikrant, in a way, is following in the footsteps of Mehta. “In a way Vikrant Massey is doing the same. In these times of competition, insecurity, jealousy, rivalry it takes guts for an actor to take a break and focus on his duties as a father, a husband and a son. He should be lauded not criticized,” he signed off.

Dia Mirza extended her support to Vikrant in a comment on the latter’s post. Considering the actor’s retirement plan as a “break”, the 42-year-old actress wrote, “Breaks are best ❤️ you’ll be even more amazing on the other side 🤗 🐯.”

The announcement came as a shocker to Vikrant’s 12th Fail co-star Medha Shankr. “???? What?,” the actress, who played the role of Shraddha Joshi in the Vidhu Vinod Chopra directorial, commented.

Vikrant’s The Sabarmati Report co-star Raashii Khanna also expressed her disbelief over the unexpected news. Mouni Roy dropped heartbreak emojis in the comment section.

Akansha Ranjan Kapoor, who made her debut with Ruchi Narain’s 2020 film Guilty, was heartbroken over the announcement. “What????? Sonu!! No 😢 you are one of the very few real actors we have left💔,” she commented.

Following Vikrant’s announcement, Vidhu Vinod Chopra shared a poster of Zero Se Restart, a film that delves into the making of Vikrant Massey-starrer 12th Fail, announcing that the trailer will be dropped on Tuesday. “So what is this ‘Kahaani Ke Pehle Ki Story’? Find out tomorrow,” the official page of his production house wrote on Instagram.

Vikrant last starred in The Sabarmati Report alongside Raashii Khanna and Ridhi Dogra. The film, which hit screens on November 15, has collected a total of Rs 26 crores nett at the Indian box office.