Alia Bhatt’s ‘Jigra’ Sets to Test Box Office Strength

‘Jigra‘, featuring Bollywood star Alia Bhatt, has hit the theatres aiming to captivate audiences with its unique narrative. Released on October 11, 2024, the film marks Bhatt’s return to cinema, following her previous project ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani‘.

The film, directed by Vasan Bala, tells the story of Satya, played by Bhatt, who embarks on a perilous journey to rescue her brother Ankur, portrayed by Vedang Raina, from a foreign prison. Known for his work in ‘Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota’ and ‘Monica, O My Darling’, Bala’s latest directorial venture presents a niche subject, relying heavily on Bhatt’s star power.

Produced by Bhatt under her banner Eternal Sunshine Productions along with Apoorva Mehta, ‘Jigra’ has generated a moderate buzz with advance ticket sales totaling around 32,000 across major national chains, including PVR, Inox, and Cinepolis.

The film has been released on approximately 2,200 to 2,500 screens, with trade experts anticipating an opening day collection between ₹5 crore and ₹6 crore. Despite being considered favorable during post-pandemic times, expectations were higher due to Bhatt’s involvement and the lively festive season of Dussehra.

‘Jigra’ faces competition from other releases including ‘Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video‘, starring Triptii Dimri. Additionally, audience interest is swayed by regional favorites like Jr NTR‘s ‘Devara‘ and the Rajinikanth–Amitabh Bachchan starrer ‘Vettaiyan‘, which are expected to dominate the southern markets.

The advance performance of ‘Jigra’ suggests a demand for positive word-of-mouth to sustain and possibly enhance its box office returns in the following days, potentially capitalizing on the holiday weekend atmosphere.