Bollywood’s latest release, Jigra, starring Alia Bhatt and newcomer Vedang Raina, has quickly found itself at the center of a heated controversy just days after its theatrical debut. Directed by Vasan Bala, Jigra hit the screens this Friday, telling the emotional story of a brother-sister duo. Although the film received mixed reviews, it reportedly collected approximately ₹4 crore on its opening day. However, actress and producer Divya Khosla Kumar has raised eyebrows with explosive allegations. Specifically, she claims that these figures are inflated and that Alia Bhatt herself has been purchasing tickets to boost the numbers. Consequently, Divya accuses Alia Bhatt of manipulating the box office performance, adding fuel to the ongoing controversy.
Divya Khosla Kumar’s Explosive Allegation
Divya Khosla Kumar took to Instagram to accuse Alia Bhatt of manipulating Jigra‘s box office performance by buying tickets for her own movie and reporting fake collection numbers. In her Instagram Stories, Divya shared a picture of an empty cinema hall, reportedly from Citi Mall PVR, where Jigra was playing. She captioned the image, “Went to Citi Mall PVR for Jigra show.”The theater was completely empty… theaters everywhere are seeing the same.”
In a direct accusation, she added, “#Aliabhatt me sach mein bahut #Jigra hai.. khud hi tickets karide aur fake collections announce kar diye. Wonder why paid media is silent. #weshdnotfooltheaudience #truthoverlies #HappyDussehra.”
These posts quickly went viral, with fans and followers sharing their opinions on social media. Divya’s allegations have put Jigra under scrutiny, casting doubt on the credibility of the reported box office collections.
Mixed Box Office Performance and Reviews
While Jigra managed to open with ₹4.55 crore at the box office, as reported by trade analyst Taran Adarsh, the collection fell short of industry expectations. Urban centers contributed the majority of the earnings, but the film struggled in mass-market regions. Adarsh noted that while the start was slower than anticipated, the Dussehra holiday could potentially boost Jigra‘s performance over the weekend. He said, “The holiday might push the collections over the weekend, but the film will need strong word-of-mouth to sustain in the coming days.”
Despite these projections, the film’s initial reception remains a mixed bag. Critics and audiences praised Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina’s performances, but some were left unimpressed by the film’s pacing and emotional depth. This mixed response may be contributing to the slow box office numbers, which have been further clouded by the controversy surrounding ticket sales.
Kangana Ranaut Weighs In on the Controversy
Adding to the already heated situation, actress Kangana Ranaut, never one to shy away from expressing her views, shared her thoughts on the matter. Taking to Twitter, Kangana indirectly supported Divya Khosla Kumar’s claims, tweeting, “Bollywood is filled with people who rely on fake success and manipulation. It’s not surprising to hear that some are buying tickets for their own films to keep the numbers up.”
Though Kangana didn’t explicitly mention Alia Bhatt, her message was clear, reigniting the longstanding rivalry between the two actresses. Kangana continued, “Real talent doesn’t need these tactics. If a film is good, the audience will come, and you won’t need to buy tickets yourself.”
Her remarks quickly went viral, with fans both supporting and opposing her stance. While some viewed Kangana’s statement as a much-needed criticism of questionable box office practices, others saw it as a personal attack aimed at Alia Bhatt. Regardless, Kangana’s involvement has only served to escalate the conversation surrounding Jigra‘s box office performance.
Alia Bhatt’s Silence Amidst the Accusations
Amid the growing storm, Alia Bhatt has remained conspicuously silent. The actress has yet to respond to Divya Khosla Kumar’s allegations or Kangana Ranaut’s pointed remarks. Known for addressing controversies directly, Alia’s decision to stay quiet has fueled further speculation about the validity of the claims. Fans and industry insiders alike are eager to see how she will navigate the controversy, with some expecting a formal statement or even legal action to clear her name.
In the meantime, Alia’s fans have come to her defense. Many took to social media to dismiss the accusations, claiming that box office figures reported by trade analysts such as Taran Adarsh are credible and transparent. One fan tweeted, “Alia doesn’t need to buy tickets to prove her success. This is just another baseless accusation to bring her down.”
For more updates on Bollywood and box office performances, check out Box Office India.
