Jigra Movie Review: Alia Bhatt’s Bold Comeback with Vedang Raina in an Emotion-Packed Tale
After 14 months, Alia Bhatt returns to the big screen with Jigra, directed by Vasan Bala. Featuring debut actor Vedang Raina of The Archies fame, the film is set across Mumbai and Singapore. Jigra centers around Alia’s character, Satya Anand, and her brother Ankur Anand (Vedang Raina). Raised in tough circumstances, the story takes a tragic turn when Ankur, Satya’s sole reason for living, is imprisoned in a foreign jail and faces brutal mistreatment. This narrative explores the painful journey of a sister determined to rescue her brother at any cost.
Plot Overview
The film opens with a touching sibling moment as Satya and Ankur climb the stairs to their home. However, emotions soon take over as the story begins with the suicide of their father. Flash forward, we see the grown-up Satya and Ankur living with their uncle. Satya, treated more like a servant than family, is left behind while Ankur heads to Singapore in hopes of building a career. Satya’s worst nightmare becomes reality when her brother is falsely accused and jailed abroad, all because of a selfish cousin.
The movie takes a dramatic shift when Satya decides to take matters into her own hands to save her brother. She is joined by Muthu (Rahu Ravindran) and the ever-charming Mr. Bhatia (Manoj Pahwa), as they plan a daring prison break. The mission, however, faces formidable opposition in the form of Central Prison Commander (Vivek Gomber). Will they succeed or will they meet a tragic end? Watch Jigra to find out.
Direction and Writing
Vasan Bala and co-writer Debashish Irengbam do a commendable job with the screenplay, delivering suspense and emotional depth in spades. However, there are casting missteps—Alia Bhatt, playing the elder sister, seems too close in age to Vedang, which somewhat weakens the sibling dynamic. A slightly older actress may have enhanced the on-screen chemistry.
Another weak point is the inconsistent portrayal of Satya’s character. While the backstory of losing a father and being raised in an uncaring environment justifies her hardened demeanor, the film overdoes the ‘angry young woman’ persona from the very beginning. Still, the second half is far superior to the first, especially the prison break sequence, which is intense and well-crafted.
Music
The music of Jigra stands out as one of its strongest elements. Songs like Phoolon Ka Taaron Ka and Sang Rakhna tug at the heartstrings, thanks to the soul-stirring voices of Arijit Singh and Vedang Raina. However, Diljit Dosanjh’s much-anticipated track Chal Kudiye was noticeably absent, even from the end credits.
Acting Performances
While Alia Bhatt’s performance is typically solid, some scenes, particularly emotional ones, fall flat. For instance, her much-hyped dialogue from the trailer—“Ab to bachpan banna padega”—loses its impact on the big screen. Likewise, her reunion with Ankur in the prison is less emotionally charged than it could have been.
Vedang Raina, on the other hand, delivers a remarkable debut, showcasing vulnerability and strength in equal measure. Supporting actors like Manoj Pahwa and Rahul Ravindran elevate the film, while Vivek Gomber’s menacing prison warden adds much-needed tension.
Verdict
Jigra is a heartwarming tale of sibling love, sacrifice, and bravery, set against the backdrop of intense action and drama. Alia Bhatt’s portrayal of a determined sister, coupled with Vasan Bala’s gripping direction, makes it a compelling watch despite its flaws. The film’s emotional beats and suspenseful sequences will keep you invested till the end. India TV has rated Jigra 3 stars.