Alia Bhatt’s Controversy
Actress Alia Bhatt has found herself at the center of social media scrutiny after she seemingly used Instagram story text to obscure empty seats in a photo shared by influencer Malvika Sitlani. The post featured Sitlani’s review of Bhatt’s latest film, “Jigra,” which has received mixed reviews since its release.
Malvika Sitlani’s Review
In her review, Sitlani described “Jigra” as a film full of warmth, highlighting its unique storytelling approach that lacks traditional romance and musical numbers. She praised the performances, stating, “It’s just pure performance and sibling love. It definitely kept me in my seat! @aliaabhatt, all hearts my love. Pure and beautiful inside and out. @vedangraina, so versatile.” However, Alia’s repost included the phrase “Thank you Mals!” strategically placed over the seats in the original photo, leading fans to speculate that she was attempting to hide the evidence of empty theatre seats.
Box Office Performance
The film’s box office performance might validate some of these concerns, as “Jigra” recorded an opening of just Rs. 4.55 crore, marking the lowest first-day earnings for an Alia Bhatt film in a decade. The film has since managed to cross the Rs. 20 crore mark within six days but has shown a declining trend at the box office. Critics have generally rated the film around 2.5 stars, with opinions divided; while some praised its fresh approach, others commented on the apparent lack of audience engagement, referencing empty theatres.
Allegations by Divya Khosla Kumar
This situation has become even more complicated due to allegations made by actor-director Divya Khosla Kumar. Following her visit to a screening of “Jigra,” she claimed on Instagram that the theatre was completely empty and accused Bhatt of manipulating ticket sales to present a false narrative about the film’s success. Kumar stated, “Alia Bhatt me sach mein bahut Jigra hai…Khud hi tickets karide aur fake collections announce kar diye. Wonder why paid media is silent.”
Karan Johar’s Cryptic Response
While Alia has chosen not to engage with Kumar’s claims directly, her friend and co-producer of “Jigra,” Karan Johar, responded cryptically, suggesting that sometimes silence is the best response to critics.
Fan Reactions and Speculation
Fans have been vocal about the incident, with many believing that Sitlani’s post inadvertently “set Alia up” by highlighting the empty seats in a way that prompted further speculation about the film’s performance.
As discussions continue to unfold online, the controversy raises important questions about the pressures faced by film stars and the lengths to which they might go to maintain their public image, especially amid mixed reviews and box office challenges. The impact of influencer culture on the film industry is also becoming a focal point of debate as viewers consider the implications of such viral content.
With “Jigra” under the spotlight for both its artistic approach and its box office struggles, Alia Bhatt’s handling of the situation reflects the complex dynamics of celebrity culture and social media influence today. As the story develops, it remains to be seen how the film will fare in the coming weeks and what impact this controversy may have on Alia’s career moving forward.
