Review: Alia Bhatt Does Full Justice To Jigra

A jailbreak thriller riding on the shoulders of the waif-like Alia Bhatt is, owing to the very nature of the effort, no ordinary cinematic project. Jigra employs the broad conventions of a rescue drama but gives it a spin by putting the onus of the saviour act on a woman who will stop at nothing once she sets herself a goal.

But that isn't the only reason why Jigra, Vasan Bala's fourth film as director, is noteworthy. It may be far from perfect - for one, it is 20 minutes too long and, as a consequence, somewhat sluggish in parts - but it does a neat job of crafting a gripping action drama.

Jigra, scripted by Vasan Bala and Debashish Irengbam, is marked by minimal plotting, understated performances and flawless technical attributes. The backstories of the principal characters, including Satya and her brother, are accounted for without wasting any footage.