Vasan Bala still lives in a rented house after Alia Bhatt starrer ‘Jigra’ failed; he had to visit Mani Ratnam’s set for 2 days: ‘Thought I’d never go back |

Alia Bhatt was last seen in the emotional action-drama ‘Jigra’, where she played a fierce and protective sister. Vedang Raina played her brother in the film. Despite her powerful performance, the film struggled to connect with audiences and underperformed at the box office. Directed by Vasan Bala, ‘Jigra’ was made on a reported budget of ₹80 crore but managed to earn only ₹56.93 crore worldwide.Speaking to Cyrus Broacha, director Vasan Bala opened up about how the film’s failure affected him. “The Jigra box office was a sucker punch. It really knocks you out, and I’m still waking up,” he said. Despite the setback, Vasan shared that he’s moving forward and working on new scripts. He added, “I am happy with the film, absolutely. I had a great time working with the crew, and I had a great time working with Alia. She’s an incredible actress, she has an incredible work ethic and vision. She spoils you.”Reflecting on the unpredictability of the industry, Vasan said that many successful people are those who work tirelessly all year, even while being unsure. When asked if he could adopt that mindset after ‘Jigra’, he admitted, “No, I can’t after Jigra’s box office. I can’t. I thought I could, I was gearing up for that. You appreciate success more this way—when you don’t have it. But not as much when you’re trying to buy houses. The extra money doesn’t hurt. I still live in a rented house.”He added that he visited Mani Ratnam’s film set just days after ‘Jigra’s’ release, “I went for two days, just to be around a film set, because I thought I’d never go back.”Jigra, co-produced by Alia Bhatt and Karan Johar. It is a story about sibling love and courage. Alia stars alongside Vedang Raina, who plays her brother. Directed by Vasan Bala, known for Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota and Monica, O My Darling, the film tells the story of a sister willing to go to any lengths to protect her brother. While the movie earned praise for its performances and emotional depth, mixed reviews and poor box office returns ultimately held it back.