Jigra Director On Divya Khossla's Fake Booking, 'Copying' Savi Accusations: Add More Fuel...

Jigra hit the big screens on October 11. The film is directed by Vasan Bala and features Alia Bhatt and Vedagn Raina in the lead roles. The release of the movie has been marred with several controversies and allegations. The wife of T-series Chairman Bhushan Kumar- Divya Khossla Kumar has accused the makers of projecting fake sales and inflated bookings as well as copying the plot of her recent release Savi (2024). Following this actor Bijou Thaangjam, known for his role in Mary Kom and Shivaay, has alleged that Jigra's makers mistreated him. The director Vasan Bala has now broken his silence on the controversies.

I don’t think it is that murky at all: Jigra director Vasan Bala on fake bookings

Following the teaser and trailer release of Jigra, Divya Khossla Kumar said that the concept of the Alia Bhatt starrer was similar to her most recent release Savi (2024). She noted how both the films follow the theme of jailbreak and loved ones going to all lengths to protect their family. After the release of Jigra, Divya took the feud to another level by visiting a theatre where the film was running only to share on Instagram that the hall was empty and accusing Alia Bhatt of booking the tickets for her own film to show fake projections.
 

Shedding light on the same, the Jigra director Vasan Bala told The Hollywood Reporter, "Savi, came out when we were editing the film. It is already out there. Everyone can watch it and make up their minds. I don’t really want to bring down anyone or add more fuel." Talking about the allegations regarding fake bookings and inflated box office numbers, the filmmaker argued, "With the false bookings, that, I think, is a distribution question. I don’t think it is that murky at all, but anyone who can investigate and bring out anything is more than welcome."

Vasan Bala addresses Bijou Thaangjam's accusations of being mistreated by Jigra team 

In the same conversation, the director also addressed the controversy regarding the casting of Bijou Thaangjam. The actor took to his social media account to write that he was approached by their casting team to audition for a role. He sent his tapes twice over the span of 4 months, playing along with their timeline. By the end of November, they told him that he would be shooting in December, but never gave him any confirmed dates. They booked him for the entire month of December but received "no real updates" on when he'd be needed. Owing to this, he lost on several projects. "For actors like me from the Northeast, it felt particularly dismissive, almost discriminatory. My time was wasted and I missed out on other opportunities just because they expected I'd be available at a moment's notice," he further mentioned in his note.
 

Talking about this, Vasan Bala shared, "With Bijou, I found out this morning what happened because I don't remember seeing his face or audition. He was never told that he was shortlisted. I think they checked his availability. It is normal procedure to call and ask for availability. He probably assumed he got the part. But I am sure there is always a better way of dealing with things. If he has felt bad, then I apologise because these things happen. And also, you want to be a part of something, so I do not blame him. It is easy to be bitter, and there are enough right reasons to be bitter about as well."

Jigra has performed mediocre at the box office and is said to be on track to become Alia's lowest grosser. The movie has raked in Rs 22.5 crore after a week of theatrical run. Apart from starring in the movie, Alia Bhatt also doubles as a producer.