In an unexpected turn of events in the Indian film industry, filmmaker Vasan Bala has chosen to delete his Twitter (now X) account following the disappointing reception of his latest cinematic venture, Jigra. The film, which was anticipated to be a commercial success, has faced a series of challenges both at the box office and in public perception. Bala, known for his active engagement on social media, had been fervently defending his work and the film’s lead star, Alia Bhatt, against a deluge of criticism and online trolling.
Jigra, which features Alia Bhatt in a gripping role as an elder sister on a mission to save her brother from a foreign prison, was released with much enthusiasm and expectation. However, the film has struggled significantly to capture audience interest, collecting a meager ₹25.35 crore over the span of nine days despite a hefty production budget of ₹80 crore. The film’s performance has become a focal point of discussion, especially as it faced substantial competition from another major release, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, featuring popular actors Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri. While both films found the going tough, Vicky Vidya managed to garner relatively better box office numbers, intensifying scrutiny on Jigra’s lackluster performance.
Vasan Bala’s decision to pull down his Twitter account follows an uproar over comments he made regarding the valuation of films solely based on their commercial success. In a recent discussion with The Hollywood Reporter, Bala emphasized that financial returns were not the primary driving force behind his creative endeavors. This assertion, however, did not sit well with many netizens who perceived his stance as dismissive of the film’s reception. Accusations of arrogance quickly followed, as critics suggested Bala was disregarding valid audience feedback.
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The controversies compounded when actress Divya Khosla Kumar accused Alia Bhatt of manipulating box office figures by allegedly purchasing large amounts of tickets to inflate earnings. Kumar’s allegation was further amplified when she shared an image on social media depicting an empty theatre, seemingly challenging the reported audience numbers and hinting at discrepancies in the film’s success claims.
In addition to these troubles, Jigra found itself embroiled in another controversy when Manipuri actor Bujou Thaangjam, familiar to audiences for his performances in films like Mary Kom and Shivaay, claimed he had been unprofessionally treated by Jigra’s casting team. Thaangjam alleged he was promised a role in the film, which ultimately never materialized, leaving him feeling sidelined and disrespected.
The series of setbacks have not only harmed the film’s financial prospects but have also resulted in Jigra marking Alia Bhatt’s least successful opening since her 2014 film, Highway. The adversity surrounding the film’s release and subsequent performance has been a topic of wide discussion among Bollywood watchers and commentators, turning the spotlight on the dynamics between artistic vision and audience expectations in the contemporary film landscape.
Amidst this backdrop of challenges and discourse, Bala’s withdrawal from Twitter arguably reflects the intense pressure and scrutiny filmmakers face in the digital age. Social media, while being a powerful platform for creators to engage with audiences, often becomes a double-edged sword, where public judgments can rapidly escalate into virulent criticism.
As Bala exits the social media stage, the film industry and its audience look on to see how Jigra’s trajectory will evolve in the coming weeks. The film’s journey raises pertinent questions about how success is defined in an era where box office numbers and social media clout wield significant, sometimes overwhelming, influence. For now, stakeholders await whether the film might still find its footing, perhaps finding resonance with audiences beyond the initial turbulence.
Published – October 20, 2024, 04:10 pm IST
Hindi cinema
