The highly anticipated thriller Jigra, produced by Dharma Productions and Viacom Studios and starring Alia Bhatt and newcomer Vedang Riana, is facing a dismal run at the box office. Directed by Vasan Bala, known for his niche films that often cater to OTT platforms, the film has failed to resonate with mainstream audiences, delivering disastrous numbers over its opening weekend.
The film debuted to poor reviews from critics on Friday, with many citing its weak storyline, disjointed screenplay, and underwhelming performances as major flaws. Surprisingly, Jigra received overwhelmingly positive feedback from a section of YouTubers and online trollers, leading to speculation about the credibility of such reviews. Despite this unexpected support, the film struggled to generate interest among theatergoers, as evidenced by its low box office performance.
On its opening day, Jigra managed to rake in just ₹4.30 crore, a concerning figure for a film of this scale, particularly with Alia Bhatt in the lead. The expectation was that the film would pick up steam over the weekend, but it saw only minimal growth on Saturday, collecting ₹6.30 crore. This small uptick in earnings failed to build the momentum required for a successful box office run.
The real blow came on Sunday, a day when most films either experience growth or at least stabilize in terms of collections. Unfortunately for Jigra, it witnessed a drop, collecting a mere ₹5.30 crore. A Sunday drop is a rare occurrence and often signals a lack of audience interest, especially for a film of this magnitude. By the end of the weekend, Jigra had amassed a total of ₹15.85 crore, a deeply underwhelming figure given the film’s high production costs and star power.
The movie’s poor performance is particularly disappointing considering the high expectations surrounding it. With Alia Bhatt, one of Bollywood’s biggest stars, leading the cast and a prominent production house like Dharma Productions backing the film, Jigra was expected to be a box office success. Instead, it appears to have sealed its fate as a commercial failure.
Industry experts are predicting a steep decline in collections from Monday onwards, with many suggesting that the film will struggle to cross ₹30 crore in its lifetime. For a thriller-action film, especially one featuring a bankable star like Bhatt, this is a shockingly low total. Even with heavy promotions and the presence of a big-name director, Jigra seems unable to escape the negative word-of-mouth that followed its release.
The film’s failure highlights the challenges of catering to both niche and mass audiences, a delicate balance that Vasan Bala, known for his more offbeat directorial choices, may have struggled to achieve. While Jigra aimed to deliver a gritty thriller with emotional depth, its lack of coherent storytelling and execution appears to have alienated both critics and general moviegoers alike.
As the box office numbers continue to dip, the film’s legacy is likely to be remembered more for its failure to meet expectations than for its creative ambition. In an industry where big names often equate to big openings, Jigra serves as a reminder that even the most anticipated films can falter without the right mix of content and appeal.
