Mumbai: Alia Bhatt’s latest release, Jigra, has been facing significant struggles at the box office, despite the actress’s star power and past successes. The film, directed by Vasan Bala, was surrounded by controversies even before its release, but unlike some movies that benefit from such attention, Jigra failed to gain traction with the audience right from the start.
Vasan Bala, the director, has now taken full responsibility for the film’s lackluster performance, acknowledging the immense trust Alia placed in him by choosing to be part of the project. In a candid conversation with the media, Bala reflected on the film’s underperformance and admitted the need for introspection. He emphasized that it was his duty to ensure the film’s success at the box office, considering the significant investment and expectations involved.
Bala commented on Alia’s decision to work on Jigra, noting, “She could have been working on another film, but she chose Jigra. She trusted me with this choice, and that means it’s my responsibility to ensure that it performs well.” He also hinted at possible reasons for the audience’s lack of connection with the film, suggesting that there might have been something in the film’s presentation or execution that deterred people from going to theaters.
Acknowledging the commercial aspect of filmmaking, Bala added, “We are also in the business of filmmaking. I need to reflect on why the audience didn’t feel compelled to watch the film. Something went wrong that made people stay away.”
Reports reveal that Jigra earned just ₹4.55 crore in India on its opening day, marking it as one of Alia’s lowest box office openers. The film’s performance is being compared to Alia’s 2014 release Highway, which had also opened to ₹3.48 crore but managed to gain critical appreciation over time. Despite the setbacks, Bala’s reflections indicate that there may be lessons learned from this experience, which could influence his future projects.
The disappointing performance of Jigra adds a challenging chapter to both Bala and Alia’s filmographies, especially in a year that has seen significant highs for the actress. For now, the team behind the movie is left to analyze what went wrong, as the film continues to struggle at the box office.
