In a surprising turn of events, filmmaker Vasan Bala has found himself at the center of a storm of social media controversy following the release of the Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina starrer ‘Jigra’. The film, which has been tangled in a web of criticism and not met with expected success, finds its director engulfed in backlash, which has led to him deactivating his presence on social media platform X.
Just a day ago, Bala was actively engaging with his audience, sharing posts, and responding to comments. However, now his once lively interactions have turned into inactive blank boxes, carrying the stark message, “This post is from an account that no longer exists.” This sudden disappearance from the platform has sparked further discussion and debate among fans and critics alike.
The turmoil began in the wake of the film’s release, as ‘Jigra’ did not resonate well with the audiences and stumbled at the box office. Allegations soon arose, suggesting that box office numbers had been manipulated, adding to a growing narrative of discontent against the film.
In an interview with ‘The Hollywood Reporter’, Bala addressed these criticisms, indicating that he doesn’t see box office performance as the primary indicator of a film’s success. This perspective, however, fell flat with many people online, who labeled the director as “arrogant” for seemingly disregarding the audience’s take on the matter.
Escalating the controversy further, filmmaker Divya Khosla Kumar publicly accused the ‘Jigra’ team of borrowing the plot from her recent film, ‘Savi’. In a bold move, she took to Instagram to share an image of ‘Jigra’ being screened in a largely empty theater, insinuating poor audience turnout. Her accusations didn’t stop there; she claimed the lead actress, Alia Bhatt, had partaken in buying tickets herself to inflate the film’s box office figures artificially. This revelation stirred a significant buzz within cinema circles and the general public, leading to heated debates and rampant speculation.
Responding to Kumar’s allegations, Bala was calm yet firm. He stated, “As for ‘Savi’ (2024), it was released during our film’s editing process.
. It’s available for anyone to view and form their opinions. My goal is not to discredit anyone or stoke the flames of controversy.” With regards to the dubious box office figures, Bala pointed out, “Such claims regarding false bookings relate to the distribution side. Even though I don’t think it’s a major issue, anyone interested is welcome to investigate further and uncover the truth.”
The movie ‘Jigra’, with its gripping tale of a sister’s fierce pursuit to save her brother, failed to strike a chord with moviegoers. It also features a reimagined version of the timeless song ‘Phoolon Ka Taaro Ka’, highlighting Vedang Raina’s musical prowess. Despite its promising story and potential star power, the production appears to have faltered in executing an impactful delivery.
Produced under the respected Dharma Productions banner, with presentation by Viacom18 Studios and Eternal Sunshine Productions, ‘Jigra’ also finds Bala taking a role behind the script alongside co-writer Debashish Irengbam. However, the film’s battle at the box office and the subsequent fallout on social media platforms have marked a turbulent period for Bala, which many filmmakers often dread.
Vasan Bala’s step to remove himself from the public eye on platforms such as X can be seen as a strategic retreat. However, this action has not gone unnoticed, and it brings to light the pressing conversation about the instant feedback loop created by social media, where public opinion can greatly influence reputations almost overnight.
As the dust begins to settle, those within the industry and audience members can only speculate on what the future holds for Bala and those associated with ‘Jigra’. Whether this backlash will have lasting impacts on Bala’s journey as a filmmaker or on the careers of those involved with ‘Jigra’ remains to be seen. What is certain is that in the ever-evolving world of cinema and social media, every comment and critique counts, shaping both filmmakers’ careers and their cinematic creations in profound ways.
