Jigra Review: Why Vasan Bala's Film Falls Flat Despite Alia Bhatt's Powerful Performance
Jigra, directed by Vasan Bala and starring Alia Bhatt, explores a sister’s relentless pursuit to rescue her brother, Ankur (Vedang Raina), wrongly imprisoned in a foreign land.
The film capitalises on the emotional bond between Satya (Alia) and Ankur, providing a solid foundation in the early stages. However, this foundation weakens as the narrative becomes overly linear and predictable, which undermines the emotional impact.
Alia Bhatt delivers a powerful performance, showcasing her range as she did in Highway, Raazi and Gangubai Kathiawadi. Her portrayal of Satya feels natural and genuine, especially in the scenes where her anger and frustration shine through. Bala’s minimalist approach in the first half allows Alia to shine, but the film falters due to a lack of depth in its characters and plot development.
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The central issue with Jigra is its predictability. The audience quickly anticipates Satya’s success in rescuing her brother, stripping the narrative of tension and suspense.
While predictability can sometimes work in certain genres, here it makes the film feel formulaic, diminishing the emotional intensity that the story should have had. Supporting characters, such as Manoj Pahwa, offer stronger arcs than Vedang Raina’s Ankur, whose role remains underdeveloped.
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Vasan Bala, known for ‘Monica, O My Darling, struggles to replicate that craft in Jigra. The prison break scenario feels uninspired, lacking the gripping energy required for a thriller.
On a positive note, the music helps elevate the film, creating moments of emotional resonance. However, despite Alia’s commanding screen presence, Jigra fails to deliver as a compelling action thriller, leaving viewers disconnected from its predictable and thinly plotted storyline.
