Mumbai—Alia Bhatt’s latest release, ‘Jigra’, which hit theaters today, has been greeted with a wave of mixed reactions. Despite the buzz around its release, the film has sparked a social media storm, with more criticism than praise circulating among audiences. Several voices have even accused the film’s producers of inflating ticket sales figures, pointing out that numerous theaters remain conspicuously empty.
In ‘Jigra’, Alia Bhatt takes on the role of Satya, a sister who must channel her inner fierceness to protect her brother, portrayed by Vedang Raina. However, as the film made its debut, prominent figures such as self-styled critic Kamaal R Khan have openly labeled the movie a flop. Evidence of largely vacant theaters is being shared widely on social media platforms, adding to the mounting criticism.
One of the viral posts by social media user Rahul Chauhan humorously critiques the corporate bookings for the film, suggesting a lack of forethought in filling seats. His remark, “Whoever made the corporate booking… Dude, you could have used a bit of common sense #JIGRA #Jigra #AliaBhatt,” emphasizes the apparent disconnect between the expected and actual audience turnout.
Another comment from a user known as ‘vanga cinema’ echoes this sentiment, further highlighting the widespread dissatisfaction with the film’s performance. Adding to the chorus of criticism is a tweet by a user identified as ‘T’, who wryly noted the comparison of Alia to Abhishek Bachchan rather than the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, further diminishing the star power anticipated by the film’s marketing.
A viewer from a smaller town shared their dismal theater experience via a tweet, describing an almost deserted cinema hall with only two tickets sold, both reportedly purchased online. The tweeter lamented, “No audience is here except me, the gatekeeper, and some birds.
.” This anecdote paints a vivid picture of the lack of public interest that has plagued the film’s screenings across various locations.
Moreover, numerous tweets underscored the perception that ‘Jigra’ relies heavily on public relations and manipulated narratives rather than substance and quality storytelling. This skepticism about the filmmakers’ tactics has only fueled the ongoing debate on social media.
Amid the negative buzz, another user sarcastically crowned Alia Bhatt the “Corporate booking queen,” a testament to the alleged strategic yet seemingly ineffective efforts to bolster viewership numbers artificially.
Furthermore, a particularly biting comment likened Bhatt’s acting in ‘Jigra’ to a sequel no one asked for, criticizing her performance as repetitive and uninspired. Such comments underscore a growing disillusionment with films perceived as overhyped yet under-delivering in terms of content and performance.
In an unexpected turn of events, it seems most of the film’s scheduled shows across India are facing cancellations due to a sparse audience, suggesting a significant disconnect between expected and actual foot traffic. This has reportedly thrown Alia Bhatt and co-producer Karan Johar into a state of concern, with reports indicating an active attempt by Bhatt’s public relations team to sway public perception by engaging with Twitter influencers.
Kamaal R Khan tweeted that ‘Jigra’ could well be the industry’s biggest disaster with 75% of its shows across the nation being called off due to poor attendance. Despite its pedigree and the fervor built around its release, the film is teetering on the brink of commercial failure.
Co-produced by Karan Johar, ‘Jigra’ had all the makings of a blockbuster with Bhatt’s star power and a promising narrative about familial bonds, yet its reception tells a cautionary tale. As audiences express their disappointment openly, the film’s producers might have to reevaluate strategies to regain footing amidst intense scrutiny.
As Bhatt and Johar grapple with the fallouts of this release, the response ‘Jigra’ has engendered is an undeniable reminder of the unpredictable nature of film success and the pivotal role of audience reception. The coming days will determine whether the film can recover from this rocky start, but for now, the mixed reviews paint a bleak picture for ‘Jigra’s box office prospects.
