Why Was Jigra a Flop? A Detailed Review

I recently watched the movie Jigra on Netflix, and honestly, it doesn’t deserve to be called a complete flop. However, there were definitely moments where it could have done better.

For those who aren’t familiar, Jigra is an Indian movie starring Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, and Manoj Pahwa. The story revolves around the bond of Rakhi—a symbol of love between a brother and sister—and how far a sister is willing to go to save her brother.

Cast:

• Alia Bhatt
• Vedang Raina
• Manoj Pahwa

Crew:

• Director: Vasan Bala
• Producers: Alia Bhatt, Karan Johar
• Writer: Vasan Bala

The Plot

Ankur (played by Vedang Raina) is wrongfully imprisoned in a fictional country called Hanshi Dao because of his cousin’s actions. Even though he is innocent, Ankur faces a death sentence by electrocution, initially scheduled for three months later but preponed unexpectedly.

The plot focuses on his sister Satya (Alia Bhatt), who takes it upon herself to rescue him. The story is all about her relentless fight to bring him back home. If you want to know how Satya achieves this, you’ll need to watch the movie!

What Went Wrong?

Now, let’s talk about why the movie didn’t work.

The biggest problem, in my opinion, was the bond between the siblings. For a film based on a brother-sister relationship, their love and affection weren’t explored enough. Ankur and Satya had just about ten minutes of screen time together. That’s far too little for the audience to feel connected to their bond.

On the other hand, the relationship between Satya and Bhatia (played by Manoj Pahwa) was portrayed much better. While their dynamic was engaging, it distracted from the core sibling story, which should’ve been the emotional anchor of the film.

The Positives

Despite its flaws, Jigra had some strong points worth mentioning.

1. Incredible Acting
   Alia Bhatt delivered a solid performance, especially in the action sequences, which she pulled off effortlessly. Her portrayal of Satya’s determination and strength was the highlight of the movie.Vedang Raina also acted well, but his limited screen time made his character feel one-dimensional. Manoj Pahwa was outstanding, bringing a fun twist to all those drama.
2. Action and Visuals
   While the story lacked thrills, the action scenes were engaging and well-executed. The fictional country of Hanshi Dao was visually good.

The Negatives

Unfortunately, the negatives outweighed the positives.

1. Underdeveloped Sibling Bond
   For a movie centered on the love between a brother and sister, their bond felt shallow. The filmmakers didn’t invest enough time in showing their connection, which made it hard for the audience to feel emotionally invested in their journey.
2. Predictable Storyline
   The movie lacked suspense. For a story that promised thrills, it was far too predictable. You could easily guess the characters’ next moves, which took away from the excitement.
3. Weak Writing and Direction
   The writing and direction fell short of expectations. The story often focused on secondary characters and relationships, which diverted attention from the main plot. The pacing was uneven, with critical moments feeling rushed.

Jigra isn’t a bad movie. It has its strengths—great performances, impressive action sequences, and a visually appealing setting. However, it failed to deliver on its emotional and narrative promises, which is why it didn’t connect with audiences.

While it flopped in theaters, it might find a more appreciative audience on Netflix. Streaming gives viewers a chance to focus on its positives without the weight of box office expectations.

If you’re curious about Jigra, I’d still recommend watching it. It might surprise you, especially if you go in with tempered expectations.

What’s your take on Jigra? Does it deserve a second chance?