October 14, 2024: Alia Bhatt’s latest release, Jigra, has recorded one of her weakest box office openings in the last 10 years. Directed by Vasan Bala, the film has struggled to gain momentum over its opening weekend. According to a report by Sacnilk.com, Jigra managed to collect just ₹5.34 crore on its third day, bringing its total box office earnings to ₹16.44 crore. Despite the public holiday boost on Dusshera, Jigra has yet to reach double-digit daily collections, a rare occurrence for an Alia Bhatt-led film.
Box Office Update:
The film opened with ₹4.55 crore on its first day, followed by a modest improvement on day two with ₹6.55 crore, aided by the Dusshera holiday. However, the third day’s collection of ₹5.34 crore reflects minimal growth, with Jigra still under the ₹20 crore mark after its first weekend in theaters. This tepid performance is surprising, given Alia’s strong track record with films like Gangubai Kathiawadi, Raazi, and Udta Punjab, which were all box office hits.
Competition with Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video:
Jigra is also facing stiff competition from Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri. The latter outperformed Jigra on its opening day with ₹5.5 crore and has since amassed ₹17.84 crore over the weekend, according to Sacnilk.com. With better reviews and momentum, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video currently holds the upper hand at the box office.
Alia’s Recent Box Office Run:
Alia Bhatt’s last release, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani, had a much stronger opening weekend, registering ₹19 crore. Given her history of leading successful female-centric films, Jigra’s underwhelming start is a cause for concern among her fans and industry insiders.
Controversy:
The film’s release has also been marred by controversy. Actor-director Divya Khossla Kumar accused Alia Bhatt of misrepresenting Jigra’s box office success.
While Alia has not responded directly, Karan Johar, co-producer of Jigra, posted a cryptic message on Instagram, stating, “Silence is the best speech you will ever give to fools.”
Plot and Cast:
Jigra follows the story of Satya Anand (played by Alia Bhatt), a young woman who embarks on a dangerous mission to save her brother, Ankur Anand, from a foreign prison where he is being tortured and faces a death sentence. Vedang Raina plays Alia’s brother in the film, while Manoj Pahwa and Rahul Ravindran feature in pivotal roles. The action-thriller is co-produced by Alia’s Eternal Sunshine Productions and Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions.
As the film moves into its second week, it remains to be seen if Jigra can bounce back or if Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video will continue to lead the box office race.
