Jigra review: Alia Bhatt emulates Amitabh Bachchan’s intensity; Vasan Bala’s thriller doesn’t let you down

admin August 29, 2023

Alia Bhatt’s latest release Jigra has been a highly anticipated film, and for good reason. Directed by Vasan Bala, who is known for his unique brand of cinema, this thriller explores themes of family, guilt, redemption, and vengeance, all woven into a narrative that grips the audience from start to finish. Alia Bhatt delivers a powerful performance, channeling an intensity that draws comparisons to Amitabh Bachchan’s classic roles, while the film’s direction and screenplay ensure that Jigra doesn’t falter in delivering a compelling thriller experience. At the heart of Jigra is a stellar performance by Alia Bhatt, who continues to solidify her position as one of the finest actors of her generation. In the film, she plays a character grappling with a dark past and an even darker present, caught between personal demons and an overwhelming sense of responsibility. The emotional range she brings to the character is commendable, as she portrays both vulnerability and steely determination with equal conviction. In Jigra, Alia Bhatt’s intensity has drawn comparisons to none other than Amitabh Bachchan, known for his towering performances in films like Deewar and Zanjeer. Just like Bachchan’s iconic ‘angry young man’ roles, Bhatt imbues her character with a simmering rage that is palpable throughout the film. Yet, she balances this with a deep emotional core, making her character relatable despite the extreme situations she faces. Her portrayal of inner turmoil and external strength is a fine line that she walks with great skill, making her one of the standout aspects of the film. Director Vasan Bala is known for his offbeat style and penchant for genre-bending narratives, as seen in his previous works like Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota and Monica, O My Darling. With Jigra, he shifts to a darker and more intense tone, yet his trademark style shines through. Bala doesn’t just make a straightforward thriller; he adds layers of complexity, making the film as much about the psychological state of the characters as it is about the unfolding events. The pacing of the film is well-executed. Bala carefully builds tension throughout, creating a palpable sense of unease that keeps the audience on edge. He also avoids the clichés that often plague thrillers, opting instead for a narrative that subverts expectations. The plot unfolds in a way that keeps the viewer guessing, with enough twists and turns to keep them engaged without feeling contrived. Bala’s direction ensures that the story never loses its focus, maintaining a consistent tone and atmosphere that complements the film’s dark themes. Visually, Jigra is striking. Bala uses shadow and light to create a noir-like aesthetic, lending the film a sense of mystery and danger. The cinematography, combined with a haunting background score, amplifies the film’s mood, making it an immersive experience. Bala’s eye for detail is evident in every frame, as he skillfully creates a world that feels both familiar and unsettling. The tight editing also helps maintain the film’s intensity, ensuring that it never lags despite its complex narrative. Without giving too much away, Jigra revolves around the life of Alia Bhatt’s character, who is thrust into a situation that forces her to confront her past. The film is built around the idea of vengeance—both the kind that is sought and the kind that is feared. Bhatt’s character finds herself at the center of a web of deceit and danger, with the safety of her loved ones hanging in the balance. As she navigates the treacherous path ahead, she is forced to question her own moral compass and the choices she has made.

At its core, Jigra is as much about internal conflict as it is about external danger. The character’s journey is one of self-discovery, as she grapples with her own sense of guilt and responsibility. This emotional depth adds layers to the thriller, elevating it beyond a mere suspenseful narrative. The stakes are not just physical but emotional, and the film deftly explores how these two aspects intertwine in the character’s life. The screenplay, written by Bala himself, is tight and efficient, with every scene contributing to the overall narrative. There are no unnecessary subplots or distractions; the focus remains squarely on the protagonist and her journey. The dialogue is sharp, often revealing more about the characters’ motivations and fears than they would like to admit. Bala also injects moments of dark humor into the narrative, providing brief but welcome relief from the film’s otherwise intense tone. While Alia Bhatt is undoubtedly the film’s centerpiece, the supporting cast also deserves mention for their strong performances. The ensemble cast includes seasoned actors who bring depth to their respective roles, ensuring that every character feels fully fleshed out. Their interactions with Bhatt’s character are crucial to the film’s plot, and their performances help elevate the overall tension of the narrative. Particularly noteworthy is the antagonist, whose menacing presence looms large throughout the film. Without resorting to caricature, the character is portrayed as a formidable opponent, both physically and psychologically. The dynamic between the protagonist and antagonist adds an additional layer of complexity to the film, as it becomes clear that the battle they are fighting is not just external but deeply personal. Alia Bhatt’s performance in Jigra has drawn several comparisons to Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic roles, and these comparisons are not unwarranted. Just as Bachchan’s characters often dealt with themes of revenge, justice, and personal sacrifice, Bhatt’s character in Jigra is cut from the same cloth. Both actors bring an emotional intensity to their roles that makes their characters feel larger than life, yet grounded in real human emotions. However, while the comparison is apt, it is also important to note that Bhatt brings her own unique sensibilities to the role. She is not simply emulating Bachchan’s style but rather channeling the same intensity through her own performance. This is what makes her portrayal in Jigra stand out—it is both a homage to the past and a reflection of her own growth as an actor.