Vasan Bala’s directorial venture, *Jigra*, may have fallen short of box office expectations upon its theatrical release, but its journey has taken a remarkable turn. Now streaming on Netflix, the film is experiencing a well-deserved surge in popularity, garnering significant praise and igniting conversations across social media platforms. The movie, boasting a stellar cast and a reported budget of ₹80 crore, managed to collect ₹56.93 crore during its theatrical run. However, its performance on OTT is painting a different, and perhaps more accurate, picture of its overall success.
The online response has been overwhelmingly positive, with many users hailing *Jigra* as a hidden gem that deserved far greater recognition. Alia Bhatt’s performance, in particular, is receiving widespread acclaim. Social media is alive with comments celebrating her portrayal, with many describing her character’s energy as “dark feminine” and deeply captivating. The film’s unique visual style and engaging narrative have also been frequently lauded, with several users highlighting specific aspects, such as the thrilling climax, as highlights. One user enthusiastically declared, “I don’t know about you all but *Jigra* got to be one of the best movies of this decade!” Another added, “There are movies which are made for a set of audience who watch it for emotions n not just for numbers sake, *Jigra* is that movie for you.” The comments section is filled with passionate observations describing the movie as a unique sibling relationship story and praising Bhatt’s intense yet sensitive portrayal of her character, Satya.
Even prominent figures in the Bollywood industry are singing *Jigra*’s praises. Celebrated filmmaker Hansal Mehta offered a particularly insightful review, emphasizing the film’s avoidance of melodramatic tropes and its creation of a compelling, relatable protagonist despite the absence of traditional romantic or relational subplots. He lauded the “unrelenting” narrative, the “terrific” music composed by Achint, and Vasan Bala’s signature directing style, concluding, “This is good filmmaking, far removed from what trash gets peddled in the name of ‘giant blockbusters’. Go Vasan go!”
The contrasting fates of *Jigra* in theaters and on Netflix illustrate the complex relationship between box office success and critical acclaim. The film’s current success on Netflix speaks volumes about the potential for films to find their target audience and achieve the recognition they deserve, regardless of initial theatrical performance. With its powerful performances, thought-provoking narrative, and striking visuals, *Jigra* serves as a compelling reminder that sometimes, the best stories take a while to be fully appreciated. The film, a collaborative effort between Dharma Productions and Alia Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions, commenced its streaming journey on Netflix on December 6th, 2024.
