Director Vasan Bala recently opened up about the lasting impact of his film Jigra, starring Alia Bhatt, which unfortunately underperformed at the box office, leaving him still unable to buy a home.
The Lingering Effect of a Box Office Flop
Vasan Bala, known for directing the Netflix film Monica, O My Darling, revealed that he only began to feel a sense of financial security after landing that project. Despite having two feature films under his belt, commercial success had largely eluded him.
His most recent film, Jigra, was his biggest production yet, featuring Alia Bhatt and produced by Karan Johar. However, the movie failed to resonate with audiences, becoming a box office disappointment.
In a candid interview with Cyrus Broacha, Bala described the experience as a “sucker punch” that he is still recovering from. Despite the financial setback, he expressed satisfaction with the film itself, praising the crew and Alia Bhatt’s incredible work ethic and vision.
The Stark Reality of Filmmaking Success
Bala also touched upon the stark realities of the film industry, jokingly observing that truly successful people are often those who can afford to be “indecisive” on set, sometimes shooting for hundreds of days. He highlighted that he doesn’t have the luxury to be spontaneous or change plans on a whim.
He noted that while he appreciates success more, given his journey, the lack of “extra money” does hurt when it comes to major life goals like homeownership. “I still live in a rented house,” he shared, underscoring his ongoing struggle.
A Director’s Dream of a Home
The director recalled visiting the set of a Mani Ratnam film for a couple of days, where he half-jokingly felt like an assistant director (AD). He quipped that sometimes even ADs can afford homes while directors cannot, acknowledging the profession’s legitimacy.
His visit to Ratnam’s set after Jigra‘s release was born from a fear that he might never be on a film set again, illustrating the deep impact of the movie’s commercial failure on his morale.
Understanding Jigra‘s Performance
Released in 2024, Jigra received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. The film was reportedly made on a budget of Rs 80 crore but managed to collect only Rs 55 crore at the box office, clearly indicating its struggle to find commercial footing.
Bala admitted in a separate interview that he felt he had “disappointed Alia and Karan” with the film’s performance. Despite their unwavering support, the feeling of letting them down was something he had to grapple with personally.
- Vasan Bala is still recovering financially from Jigra‘s box office failure.
- He continues to live in a rented house, unable to afford his own home.
- Bala remains proud of Jigra and praises Alia Bhatt’s dedication.
- He highlighted the financial disparity and different luxuries enjoyed by various filmmakers in the industry.
Bala’s candid insights offer a rare glimpse into the unpredictable nature of the film industry, where creative passion doesn’t always guarantee financial stability.
