October 12, 2024: Kangana Ranaut has once again grabbed attention with a fiery, cryptic Instagram story that seems to cast a shadow on Alia Bhatt’s latest release, Jigra. The action-packed film, which released on October 11, opened with a modest ₹3.58 crore net collection across India, as per reports from Sacnilk. With the film’s lukewarm box office debut, Kangana’s pointed post has reignited debate over the performance of women-centric films in Bollywood.
Without naming anyone directly, Kangana wrote, “When you destroy women-centric films and make sure that they don’t work, they don’t work, even when you make them. Read that again. Thanks.” Though she didn’t mention Jigra or Alia by name, fans were quick to interpret the post as a subtle dig at the film, given its theme of a strong female protagonist and Alia’s leading role.
Jigra, produced by Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions alongside Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, centres on Alia’s character, Satya Anand, who embarks on a perilous mission to free her brother, played by Vedang Raina, from a foreign prison. Directed by Vasan Bala, the film also stars Manoj Pahwa and Rahul Ravindran. Despite its high expectations, the film’s opening day figures have received mixed reactions from critics and audiences alike.
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This isn’t the first time Kangana has made remarks seemingly aimed at Alia. Prior to the release of Gangubai Kathiawadi, Kangana had publicly criticised the casting and production, labelling it a “200-crore disaster” and calling Alia a “romcom bimbo.” Ironically, Gangubai Kathiawadi defied Kangana’s predictions and became a critical and commercial hit.
While it remains unclear whether Kangana’s latest comment is a direct jab at Jigra or part of a broader critique of Bollywood’s approach to women-led films, her post has certainly sparked fresh conversations as Jigra continues its box office journey.
