Bollywood sensation Alia Bhatt has found herself amid a heated controversy in connection with her recent film ‘Jigra’. Debuting on October 11 under the direction of Vasan Bala, the film has attracted extensive media attention and social media scrutiny, adding fuel to an already contentious situation. Despite the praises for Alia Bhatt’s formidable performance, ‘Jigra’ received a mixed bag of reviews from both critics and audiences alike. Unfortunately, Alia’s attempt to employ strategic damage control to salvage the film’s public image seems to have backfired, amplifying the drama rather than subduing it.
The events that have unfolded involve a significant accusation pointed at Alia Bhatt herself, suggesting that she attempted to obscure the truth about the film’s underwhelming turnout during screenings. This allegation emerged when Alia shared an Instagram Story highlighting a glowing review of ‘Jigra’ from influencer Malvika Sitlani. In her post, Sitlani praised the film for deviating from traditional Bollywood elements such as romance and musical interludes, instead focusing on potent performances and heartwarming sibling dynamics. She remarked on Alia’s brilliance, stating, “Jigra is all warm feels. It’s been a while since I’ve watched something so different. No romance, no song n dance… it’s just pure performance and sibling love. It definitely kept me in my seat! Alia Bhatt at her very best love. Pure and beautiful inside and out. Vedang Raina so versatile.”
Alia responded to this post with gratitude, writing, “Thank you, mals!” However, it was the placement of her comment on the Instagram story that drew intense scrutiny. Keen-eyed Reddit users were quick to observe that the caption seemed strategically positioned to mask empty seats in the theater, a move perceived as an attempt to create the illusion of a full house.
. This observation rapidly traveled through cyberspace, sparking a debate that oscillated between humor and criticism.
On Reddit, various users expressed their astonishment. One remarked, “This is both hilarious and super embarrassing! Alia, Karan Johar (KJo), Dharma Productions, and her PR need to face the fact that this movie is a flop, and there’s no saving it now. Hiding empty seats or manipulating the narrative with PR won’t change the outcome.” Another user added, “Honestly, at this point, all the trolling against Alia and Karan would stop if they just accept ‘Jigra’ is a failure, learn from their mistakes, and move on. The constant PR cover-up to make it seem like the movie is doing well is what’s making people hate/troll them more.”
The unfolding saga does not end here. Actor-filmmaker Divya Khossla Kumar has also vocalized her grievances, alleging that the ‘Jigra’ team provided inflated box office numbers when the reality was theater halls with significant unoccupied seats. This criticism led to a social media exchange, shrouded in cryptic nuances, between Karan Johar, who produced the film, and Divya Khossla Kumar herself. Their dispute only intensified the public discourse surrounding the movie’s authenticity and its reception.
In addition to these contentious claims, Bijou Thaangjam, an actor hailing from Manipur, has publicly condemned the creators of ‘Jigra’ for discriminatory practices. He alleged that after prolonged discussions about securing a role, the communications abruptly ended without explanation, leaving him sidelined and marginalized. These claims add another layer to the controversies enveloping the film and its execution.
Despite the turmoil, Bhatt’s dedication to her craft is undeniable. Still, the focus remains on how her and her team’s attempts to manage the film’s reputation have seemingly perpetuated the very controversies they hoped to quell. Moving forward, addressing these issues transparently might provide a more substantial resolution, both in rebuilding the film’s reputation and managing public perception.
As ‘Jigra’ continues its theatrical trajectory, it remains to be seen how the lingering controversies will affect its journey and legacy in Bollywood’s complex cinematic landscape.
