The much-anticipated film “Jigra” begins with an intriguing premise and a stellar cast, yet falters as it marches on, culminating in a chaotic symphony of over-the-top action sequences. Directed by Vasan Bala and starring Alia Bhatt alongside Vedang Raina, “Jigra” creates an immersive world filled with innovative cinematography and stimulating cultural references in its opening act. However, as the film delves into its second half, it runs out of steam, leaving audiences with a never-ending whirlpool of violence and sound, devoid of substance.
From the onset, “Jigra” pulls you into a vibrant and mysterious universe. The film initially holds promise, with its intricate scenes and clever transitions that capture the attention, such as the metaphorical switch from a cigar flaring up to fireworks, and a captivating moment shared between imprisoned individuals through the confines of a visitation window. These moments brim with emotional weight, hinting at a film that could probe deeper than the surface-level thrills we are served later.
The film’s initial allure is also due in part to its numerous and well-conceived Easter eggs that appeal to dedicated film aficionados. Delightful nods to the likes of directors Robert Rodríguez, Wong Kar-wai, and Kim Ki-duk pepper the storyline. These references effectively engages cinema lovers, infusing the unfolding narrative with layers of intertextual significance—a tactic reminiscent of revered filmmaker Sriram Raghavan’s style.
Notably, the film features actor Manoj Pahwa donning T-shirts that pay homage to lesser-known cult films, and even features deliberate hat tips to Bollywood classics like “Zanjeer,” “Agneepath,” and “Hare Rama Hare Krishna.” These cinematic nuggets are designed to keep viewers alert and invested, while the story slowly reveals itself.
Starring Alia Bhatt, “Jigra” places its weight on Bhatt’s charismatic performance. Her role as the protective sister of Raina’s character thrusts her into a world of high-octane action, which sees her battling against India’s stringent overseas justice system.
. The setting—a fictional city-state mirroring Singapore with its draconian legal strictness—serves to heighten the stakes, offering a backdrop that is at once contemporary and authentically nuanced. This is illustrated through the casual use of ‘Singlish,’ as characters sprinkle ‘lah’ at the end of sentences, juxtaposed with chaotic streets that resonate with images of Jakarta or Bangkok.
Yet, despite these powerful beginnings, the second half of “Jigra” plunges into a maelstrom of excessive action scenes and a monotonous bass-heavy soundtrack, quickly stripping it of the vitality that initially earned audience empathy. Vasan Bala’s prowess as a director—proven in his previous ventures “Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota” and “Monica O My Darling”—is challenged here by a narrative that feels incomplete and hurriedly concluded with generic explosive sequences.
The dynamic between the central siblings, on which the film heavily hinges, ultimately fails to escalate beyond overt declarations, lacking the authentic emotional resonance it aspires to. The film opens with their father’s despair-filled leap to death—a theme that continues to resurface—but results in a narrative that feels conspicuously forced rather than organically felt.
The prison sequences are dominated by Indian actor Vivek Gomber, who skillfully embodies a subversive villain. Gomber’s character provides friction to Bhatt’s determination, yet despite his villainy, the film does not capitalize on this to elevate its narrative depth.
“Jigra” drifts erratically, attempting to hold viewers hostage in its visual and aural chaos and leaving one contemplating lessons from the “Hope experiment with rats” referenced in the dialogue—survival driven not by might, but by hope. Unfortunately, the film’s final act requires a viewer’s tenacity to trek through endless bombardments, in what feels like an homage to Michael Bay’s elaborate yet often hollow spectacles.
In conclusion, “Jigra” impresses with its beginning, using cultural context, reference-rich storytelling, and stellar acting to build intrigue. However, its inability to sustain this narrative strength results in a disappointing descent into the template-driven doldrums of action cinema. Devotees of Alia Bhatt may find solace in her performance, but may also find themselves yearning for a more coordinated, thoughtful end to the compelling tale that could have been.
