Jigra Controversy: Can Alia Bhatt Retain Her Title As Bollywood’s Most Bankable Female Actor? – News18

Alia Bhatt has grown into one of Bollywood’s most bankable stars over the years, with a track record that boasts critical acclaim and commercial success. However, her latest release, Jigra, has sparked controversy, with actor-filmmaker Divya Khossla Kumar accusing her of inflating box office numbers by purchasing her own movie’s tickets. Despite the buzz, Jigra has performed poorly at the box office, recording the lowest opening of Bhatt’s career since Highway (2014). Let’s take a closer look at her box office journey and how her films have fared over the years.

Early Success and Breakthrough Films

Alia Bhatt made her debut with Karan Johar’s Student of the Year (2012), which was an instant hit. The film opened with a strong collection of Rs 7.48 crore and went on to earn Rs 70 crore in India. Bhatt’s performance as the glamorous Shanaya caught everyone’s attention, marking the start of her career as a commercial star.

Her next big hit was 2 States (2014), which opened with Rs 12.40 crore and grossed over Rs 102 crore in India. The film, based on Chetan Bhagat’s novel, showcased Bhatt’s ability to switch from a fashionista to a relatable Indian girl, earning her critical acclaim and box office success.

Mixed Performances and Critical Acclaim

While Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014) was a hit, grossing Rs 76.81 crore in India, Bhatt faced a setback with Shaandaar (2015). Despite an impressive opening of Rs 13.10 crore, the film tanked with a lifetime collection of Rs 43.10 crore, showing that not every film of hers would be a surefire hit.

However, Alia bounced back with Udta Punjab (2016), where her performance as a migrant worker struggling with drug addiction was hailed as one of the finest of her career. The film opened to Rs 10.10 crore and grossed Rs 60.33 crore, proving that Bhatt was more than just a commercial star, she was a serious actor with range.

Her success continued with Dear Zindagi (2016), which grossed Rs 68.45 crore, and Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017), which became one of the highest-grossing films of her career at the time, collecting Rs 117.89 crore in India.

Box Office Peak with ‘Raazi’ and ‘Gully Boy’

Alia reached new heights with Raazi (2018), a film that saw her play an undercover spy. The movie opened modestly at Rs 7.53 crore but went on to earn Rs 123.74 crore, making it one of the highest-grossing female-led films in Bollywood.

Her next major success came with Gully Boy (2019), which grossed Rs 139.63 crore in India. Her portrayal of the fiery Safeena added to her growing reputation as a versatile actor capable of handling different genres.

Stumbles with ‘Kalank’ and Return with ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’

Not every film was a hit. Kalank (2019), despite opening at Rs 21.60 crore, failed to sustain momentum and ended up with a lifetime collection of Rs 84.60 crore. The period drama was heavily criticised, and its underperformance showed that even a star like Alia couldn’t save a poorly written film.

However, she returned stronger with Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022). The film was a massive hit, earning Rs 132.01 crore in India. Bhatt’s portrayal of the titular character received widespread acclaim, solidifying her position as one of the leading actors in the industry.

Blockbuster Success with ‘Brahmastra’ and a Hit with ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani’

In 2022, Alia delivered one of her biggest hits, Brahmāstra: Part One – Shiva, which opened at Rs 36.42 crore and grossed Rs 267.2 crore in India. The film’s success silenced critics who had doubted its viability.

Following that, Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani (2023) also did well, grossing Rs 153.55 crore in India, proving Bhatt’s consistent box office pull. In the movie, Bhatt played the role of journalist Rani Chatterjee, who comes from a progressive Bengali family.

‘Jigra’: A New Low in Box Office Collections

Despite the successes, Jigra (2024) has become a rare underperformer in Bhatt’s career. With an opening of just Rs 4.55 crore, it has become her lowest opening since Highway. The film, directed by Vasan Bala and produced by Bhatt’s Eternal Sunshine Productions, faced criticism for its slow narrative and underwhelming screenplay.

Despite Jigra’s poor performance, Alia Bhatt’s overall box office track record remains strong. Her ability to balance commercial blockbusters with critically acclaimed roles makes her one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors. However, the accusations surrounding Jigra’s box office figures may raise questions about her films’ commercial viability going forward.

In the face of controversy and a rare box office miss, the question remains: Can Alia Bhatt continue to maintain her reign as Bollywood’s most bankable leading lady? We’ll find out with her upcoming film, Alpha – Hindi cinema’s first female-led YRF Spy Universe film.

[Please note: Box office data has been sourced from Sacnilk.com.]