Alia Bhatt's upcoming film Jigra is set to premiere on October 11, 2024, and the actress is deeply engaged in its promotional activities. Directed by the talented Vasan Bala, Jigra has recently attracted considerable media attention, particularly following Vasan’s candid revelations during a recent interview. He disclosed that Karan Johar, a prominent figure in the Indian film industry, had initially sent Alia a rough draft of the script, a gesture that apparently did not resonate well with him.
During the same interview, Alia shared her passionate pursuit of the role, revealing that she had actively approached the filmmaker for several months, driven by her strong affection for the story. This narrative led to speculation among audiences and critics alike, suggesting that Alia was not the original choice for the character. Such interpretations prompted responses from both the film's producer, Soman Mishra, and director Vasan Bala, who sought to clarify the situation.
Mishra articulated his thoughts on the matter, stating, "All actors receive different pitches. If they are interested in the location or another aspect, we move forward with the final script. Sometimes they agree, but the script may not resonate, or the opposite can occur. Social media tends to exaggerate minor issues." He continued, "Once you watch the film, you’ll understand our eagerness to have her involved. She brings magic to the screen. If she had turned us down, I can’t fathom who Vasan would have cast in Jigra; it's difficult to envision anyone else playing the character of Satya. The rest is simply nonsense."
In an admirable display of professionalism and gratitude, Vasan Bala echoed Mishra’s sentiments, expressing his appreciation for Karan Johar's support. He remarked, "Karan understood better, and I cannot thank him enough for his trust in me. It’s the most significant generosity anyone can extend to assist someone in making a film... trust."
To further clarify the situation surrounding Alia's casting, Soman Mishra took to social media, sharing a video of the interview in which Vasan elaborated on the initial stages of the film's development. Mishra explained, "In this video, Vasan Bala mentions that he did not initially plan to cast Alia Bhatt in Jigra. Before he could finalize the script, Karan had already sent it to her." He humorously added, "Hahaha, this was amusing when it surfaced on TL. When Vasan, KJ, and I were discussing the initial storyline, we were all eager to have Alia join us. I don’t know any producer who wouldn’t want her. She’s phenomenal, and we were fortunate she accepted. Vasan was referring to it as a rough pitch at that stage."
