‘Jigra’ director Vasan Bala deletes Twitter account due to poor reception

Vasan Bala | Photo credit: PRASHANT WAYDANDE

Filmmaker Vasan Bala has deleted his Twitter account (X) following the disappointing box office performance of his latest film, Jigraand the controversies surrounding it. Bala was actively defending the Alia Bhatt starrer on social media, engaging with critics and trolls who targeted him over the film’s failure. Until recently, Bala responded to messages on Jigrabefore apparently deleting his Twitter account.

Jigrareleased amid significant buzz, underperformed at the box office, collecting only ₹25.35 crore in nine days, despite being made on a budget of ₹80 crore. The film, which stars Alia Bhatt as an elder sister struggling to save her brother from a foreign prison, faced stiff competition from Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Videoanother version with Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri. Although both films struggled, Vicky Vidya managed to do better at the box office.

Bala’s decision to delete his Twitter account comes after he was criticized for considering box office figures as the only measure of a film’s success. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporterhe said commercial returns were not his primary goal. However, his comments were seen as arrogance by some online, with many accusing him of ignoring the film’s negative public reception.

Controversies have also plagued Jigra. Actress Divya Khosla Kumar has publicly accused Alia Bhatt of manipulating the film’s box office figures, alleging that Bhatt purchased tickets to inflate the figures. Kumar even shared an image of an empty cinema, mocking the film’s reported earnings.

Meanwhile, Manipuri actor Bujou Thaangjam, known for his roles in Marie Kom And Shivaayclaimed to have been treated unprofessionally by Jigraafter being promised a role that never materialized.

While the film struggles to break even and faces criticism from several quarters, Jigra also marked Alia Bhatt’s lowest opening since Highway (2014).