In a shocking turn of events, actress Divya Khossla has accused Alia Bhatt of manipulating box office figures for her latest film, Jigra, by allegedly purchasing tickets herself. This accusation comes on the heels of Jigra‘s disappointing box office performance, which has garnered significant media attention since its release.
Jigra, directed by Vasan Bala and co-produced by Karan Johar and Alia Bhatt, is a jailbreak action film that debuted with high expectations. However, despite the star power and hype surrounding it, the film opened to a dismal ₹4.55 crore on its first day. Over the weekend, Jigra saw only slight growth, ultimately grossing ₹16.75 crore after three days—marking one of the lowest openings in Bhatt’s career. This is particularly notable considering her previous successes with films like Gangubai Kathiawadi and Raazi, which set high benchmarks for her box office performances.
Khossla’s allegations stem from a screenshot she shared on social media, depicting an empty cinema hall screening Jigra. She criticized the filmmakers for allegedly “fooling the audience” with inflated box office numbers, highlighting the disparity between reported collections and actual audience turnout.
In response to the accusations, Alia Bhatt has remained silent. However, Karan Johar took to Instagram with a cryptic message, stating, “Silence is the best speech you will ever give to fools,” a post many interpreted as a veiled response to Khossla’s claims.
The timing of this controversy is particularly critical as Jigra faces tough competition at the box office. Rajkummar Rao’s film, Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, has outperformed Jigra, grossing ₹18.65 crore in the same period, further complicating the film’s prospects.
With the Diwali season approaching and anticipated releases like Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3 and Singham Again, the competition for audience attention is set to intensify. As it stands, Jigra will need to maintain its momentum to navigate the crowded marketplace.
This unfolding situation not only raises questions about transparency in Bollywood’s box office reporting but also invites broader discussions on audience engagement and marketing strategies employed by filmmakers. As the story develops, it remains to be seen how these accusations will impact Alia Bhatt’s career and future projects, as well as how audiences will react to the marketing tactics at play.
