Alia Bhatt’s latest film, Jigra, opened to a disappointing start at the box office on Friday, October 11, 2024. The film grossed approximately Rs 4.25 crore, marking it as Alia’s lowest opener since her debut film, Highway, in 2014. Directed by Vasan Bala, Jigra is a prison-break thriller that received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike.
The opening day collection of Jigra is significant as it highlights a downward trend for Alia Bhatt, who has been one of the most bankable stars in Bollywood over the last decade. According to industry tracker Sacnilk, the film had an overall occupancy rate of 20.13% across its Hindi shows, which accounted for the majority of its earnings, totaling around Rs 4.2 crore from approximately 2900 shows. The Telugu version of the film only managed to collect about Rs 50,000 from just 42 shows.
Main Points
Comparison with Other Films
In comparison, Rajkummar Rao’s film, Vicky Aur Vidya Ki Woh Wala Video, which released on the same day, fared slightly better with an opening collection of Rs 5 crore. This film had a wider release with around 3500 shows, which likely contributed to its higher earnings.
Audience Reception and Future Prospects
Despite Alia Bhatt’s star power, the film struggled to attract audiences. Factors contributing to this include its niche genre and competition from other releases during the festive season. The Dussehra holidays may provide an opportunity for both films to improve their box office performance over the weekend.
Historical Context
Alia Bhatt’s previous films have generally performed well at the box office. Her breakout role in Highway earned Rs 3.4 crore on its opening day but went on to gross over Rs 30 crore in total. Since then, she has starred in numerous successful films such as Raazi, Gangubai Kathiawadi, and Brahmastra, making her one of the most sought-after actresses in Bollywood.
Film Details
- Genre: Prison-break thriller
- Director: Vasan Bala
- Cast: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa
- Opening Day Collection: Rs 4.25 crore
- Occupancy Rate: 20.13% (Hindi), 20.17% (Telugu)
The mixed reviews suggest that while Alia’s performance is commendable, the film may not resonate well with a larger audience due to its theme and execution.
Box Office Trends
Historically, films released during festive seasons tend to perform better due to increased footfall in theaters. However, both Jigra and its competitor seem affected by cultural events like Navratri, where many prefer attending traditional festivities over watching movies.
Conclusion
As the weekend progresses and Dussehra approaches, industry experts are keenly observing whether these films can gain momentum at the box office. The upcoming weeks will be crucial for both titles before larger releases like Singham Again and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 hit theaters.
