MUMBAI: Jigra,’ the highly anticipated film by Vasan Bala, Anirudh Chawla, and Rashid Mubarak featuring Alia Bhatt in the lead, has not lived up to expectations, making it one of the lowest-performing movies in her career.
Despite being in theaters for only two months, the film has garnered negative reviews and is being labeled as subpar. Released on October 11, 2024, it has made headlines for its secrecy and performances, but instead of being a hit, it has sparked debates and dissatisfaction regarding its commercial success.
There are no signs that the film resonated with audiences; many viewers expressed disinterest, which has drawn criticism. The plot follows Alia as a brave sister who leaves home to find and rescue her brother.
The narrative, titled The Wandering Lives, tells the story of a family bound by trauma, making it impossible to sever their ties. Andreas Scholm further develops the tale with stories of encounters and adventures.
Director Vasan Bala initially mentioned that he would oversee the post-production editing of the film. In a recent interview, he addressed the box office struggles, suggesting that “something has happened where people have stayed away.”
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Before its release, the film faced several challenges, including Bala’s altercations with Karan Johar over remarks on script changes. It also faced plagiarism allegations from actress Divya Khossla, who claimed it was a copy of her work. The pressure from these issues led Bala to delete his social media accounts due to the stress.
Currently, Jigra has grossed approximately ₹27.30 crores, a figure significantly lower than the earnings of a remake directed by a well-known Bollywood actress. Critics noted that while the first half of the film is engaging, the second half feels stretched and requires editing to maintain its pace.”
