October 15, 2024: Alia Bhatt’s latest release, Jigra, directed by Vasan Bala, has found itself in the midst of controversy yet again. Following mixed reviews and a lackluster opening at the box office, Manipur-based actor Bijou Thaangjam has accused the makers of the film of “unprofessional behaviour.” Bijou took to his X account (formerly Twitter) to express his frustration with the way the film’s production team treated him during the casting process.
In a detailed statement, Bijou shared that he was initially considered for a role in Jigra in 2023, but poor communication and mishandling led to him missing out on other projects. “I sent my tapes twice over four months,” Bijou wrote, explaining that despite repeated communication and being told to keep his schedule free for December 2023, he was left in the dark without firm shoot dates. He emphasised how, as someone based in Imphal, travel arrangements had to be coordinated, but the production team didn’t seem to take that into account. “By the end of November, I was told I’d be shooting in December — but they never gave me any firm shoot dates.”
Also Read: Jigra Box Office Struggles: Alia Bhatt’s Film Sees Worst Opening in a Decade
He concluded his statement by highlighting the difficulty faced by actors from the Northeast working with major production houses. “It felt particularly dismissive, almost discriminatory. My time was wasted, and I missed out on other opportunities,” he stated.
Also Read: ‘Jigra’ Review: A Promise of Emotional Depth Undermined by a Disjointed Script
Bijou’s revelations follow another controversy surrounding Jigra. Actor Divya Khossla Kumar had earlier accused Alia Bhatt of manipulating box office numbers. Though Bhatt has not responded to the allegations, Karan Johar, the film’s producer, posted a cryptic note on Instagram, stating, “Silence is the best speech you will ever give to fools.”
Despite the controversies, Jigra has not been able to gain much traction at the box office. The film opened to a lukewarm ₹4.25 crore on its first day, marking one of Alia Bhatt’s lowest openings in the last decade. So far, the film has grossed ₹16.75 crore, with its third-day collection standing at ₹5.65 crore.
