In a dramatic turn of events surrounding the film industry, Alia Bhatt’s latest release ‘Jigra’ has become the epicenter of a heated dispute. The film’s financial success, or lack thereof, has sparked a notable confrontation between one of its producers, Karan Johar, and actor-filmmaker Divya Khossla Kumar. On Saturday, Khossla unleashed a storm on social media by questioning the authenticity of the box-office earnings reported by ‘Jigra,’ citing allegations of inflated figures.
The controversy was ignited when Khossla posted an image showcasing an empty theatre and suggested that the box-office numbers for ‘Jigra’ were potentially being artificially bolstered. In particular, she hinted at the possibility of bulk ticket purchases, which would artificially inflate the film’s reported success. This social media post was seen by many as a direct challenge to the credibility of Karan Johar, the stalwart producer of the film.
Johar, known for his influential position in the film industry, responded with a cryptic yet impactful message on social media. “Silence is the best speech you will ever give to fools,” he stated, which was widely interpreted as a retort to Khossla’s insinuations. This public spat reportedly finds its roots in an earlier release, ‘Savi,’ starring Khossla in a role eerily similar to Bhatt’s character in ‘Jigra.’ In ‘Savi,’ Khossla portrayed a woman who plots to break her husband out of prison, a parallel some audiences are drawing with Bhatt’s jailbreak thriller character.
As the debate raged on, both films released alongside each other—’Jigra’ and ‘Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video’ (VVKWWV)—saw their box-office performances come under scrutiny. A trade analyst, choosing to remain anonymous, weighed in on the matter, assuring that figures for ‘Jigra’ were not manipulated. “No, the figures are low. Jigra opened in 2,800 screens, and VVKWWV in 3,500 screens. On day one, the average occupancy for both was 20 per cent. So, they earned Rs 4.25 crore and Rs 5 crore respectively. The reason why the films aren’t working is because the storytelling is limited,” the analyst emphasized.
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Despite these clarifications, the debate continues about why these films are underperforming. According to the analyst, the key reason is their storytelling, which failed to captivate audiences. While ‘VVKWWV’ may have struggled to connect with urban viewers, ‘Jigra’ is reportedly performing moderately in multiplexes. The industry is familiar with the phenomenon of inflated box-office numbers, yet in this instance, speculation is dismissed by insiders citing standard practices, not manipulation, as culprits.
Supporting this viewpoint is trade analyst Taran Adarsh, who expressed surprise that the films did not fare better, especially considering the anticipation surrounding their release. “That’s because Alia Bhatt is a bona fide star and Rajkummar was coming after ‘Stree 2’s’ success,” he explained. Nevertheless, despite the holiday weekend, earnings remained underwhelming, shifting industry focus ahead towards the much-anticipated Diwali releases.
As for the current financial standing, ‘Jigra’s’ two-day collection reportedly stands at Rs 11.13 crore, while ‘VVKWWV’ rakes in Rs 12.77 crore. The lack of a significant spike in sales over the weekend left trade expert Akshaye Rathi perplexed. “Jigra deserved a wider viewership. But the first weekend is too early to gauge the fate of both movies,” Rathi remarked.
Reflecting on the current trend, Rathi posed a significant question: Is narrative failing star power? “The storytelling has to appeal to the widest possible audience. What separates Rajkummar’s Stree 2 and Vicky Vidya are their telling,” he commented. Striking a similar chord, Ajay Devgn experienced the unpredictability of the box office as ‘Shaitaan’ became a hit while ‘Auron Mein Kahan Dum Tha’ faltered.
As ‘Jigra’ continues to spark discussions within and beyond the film industry, the coming weeks will determine whether the film’s narrative can ultimately triumph over the allegations of skewed numbers and lackluster openings. For now, audiences, critics, and stakeholders alike await the unfolding of this industry spectacle with bated breath.
