Director Vasan Bala has a deep admiration for Amitabh Bachchan, which is evident from the numerous references to the great actor throughout the film. Interestingly, this film will release on Bachchan’s birthday. In a memorable scene, Alia Bhatt’s character looks at Agneepath during a flight to the fictional island of Hansi Dao. Manoj Pahwa’s character is constantly listening to Bachchan’s songs, especially songs from the iconic film Zanjeer. An extraordinary action sequence is set against the backdrop of the classic song Yaari Hai Iman Mera. At one point, Alia’s character declares that she should “be Bachchan”, and in many ways, she does. Although he may lack his towering stature or his baritone voice, he embodies the emotional intensity that made Big B a beloved figure. Just as the audience supported Bachchan when he stood alone against the odds, ready to fight for his loved ones, the audience is equally interested in Alia’s journey as she faces tough challenges. You want him to succeed, no matter the cost. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the essence of commercial cinema at its best. The film skillfully blends high-stakes action with emotional depth, showcasing Satya’s resilience and cleverness as he hatches a daring plan to infiltrate a prison. Along the way, it explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice and the pursuit of justice, making Jigra not only an exhilarating ride but also a poignant reflection on the human spirit.
One wants to ask whether Ankur and Satya Vasan are Bala’s favorite films? Jokes aside, it helps that the director has made a technically savvy film. The cinematography, editing, sound design, production design and background score are all top notch. And the fight sequences don’t have the dishoom-dishoom quality, but they look plausible. We especially liked the scene between him and Rahul Ravindran in the forest. Congratulations to the stunt doubles who attempted the difficult scene. The jailbreak scene at the end feels like a real prison riot.
Casting Manoj Pahwa as a retired gangster yearning for his son is pure genius as he combines comedy and compassion to bring another believable performance. Similarly, Vivek Gomber brings out his inner Christoph Waltz to deliver a performance full of Nazi menace. Rahul Ravindran is also good as a man stuck between two worlds. Vedang Raina plays his role with the sensitivity it required. He is the face of an innocent youth who gets trapped in circumstances far beyond his understanding. This is another natural performance from the talented actor. We can only talk about Alia Bhatt in superlatives. She is the image of a protective sister. That’s not just the icing, that’s the entire cake. Had she not been in the film, she could not have become Jigra. She has once again shown that she can do anything, even action, with confidence. He is one of the producers of the film and has added another feather to his cap.
With its powerful performances and complex storytelling, Jigra promises to keep the audience on the edge of their seats while highlighting the powerful relationship between family, justice and the fight against oppression. Watch it for its realistic action sequences, its strong emotional core and on point performances by Vedang and Alia.