Dharma Productions has announced that it will no longer hold pre-release screenings for critics, starting with the upcoming film Jigra, starring Alia Bhatt.
This move comes after online rumors surfaced, claiming that Karan Johar allegedly gave an incomplete script from director Vasan Bala to Alia Bhatt without permission. Karan Johar dismissed these claims, calling them a “gross misinterpretation” of the truth.
In response, Dharma decided to focus on the audience rather than critics, stating that no future films will be shown to critics before release. Currently, Yash Raj Films is the only other major Bollywood studio with a similar policy.
In an official statement, Dharma acknowledged that the decision was tough but emphasized that it aims to let everyone, including media professionals, experience their films as intended.
Jigra Controversy
Alia Bhatt’s latest film Jigra hit theatres last Friday, clashing with Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video, starring Rajkummar Rao and Triptii Dimri. Amid these new releases, a heated exchange has erupted between filmmaker Divya Khosla and producer Karan Johar.
The controversy began when Divya accused Jigra’s box office numbers of being manipulated. In response, Karan Johar posted on his Instagram story, dismissing such claims as insignificant. Interestingly, neither Divya nor Karan have directly mentioned each other by name, instead opting for cryptic Instagram stories to express their thoughts.
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Divya Khosla and Karan Johar’s Ongoing War of Words
The tension between Divya Khosla and Karan Johar has escalated recently. Divya posted a photo of an empty cinema hall on Instagram, accusing Alia Bhatt’s film Jigra of faking its box office numbers.
In response, Karan Johar shared an Instagram story, indirectly calling silence the best response to “fools.” Divya quickly followed with another cryptic post, writing, “The truth provokes fools” and adding, “When others shamelessly steal and claim it as theirs, silence becomes their only escape. Such people lack both voice and backbone.”
Why is Divya Upset with Jigra’s Makers?
Divya’s frustration seems to stem from the release of her film Saavi in May, where she played the lead. The film’s plot revolves around a jailbreak, with a wife doing everything to free her husband from prison. Coincidentally, Jigra also features a jailbreak theme, although the stories are quite different. Ever since the trailer of Jigra dropped, Divya’s PR team has alleged that Saavi’s script was altered and released as Jigra.
Jigra’s Box Office Collection
Despite the controversy, Jigra’s box office performance has been underwhelming. It earned ₹4.55 crores on its opening day and ₹6.55 crores on the second day, totaling just ₹11.10 crores in two days.
Karan Johar Puts an End to Press Screenings
In a recent move, Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions announced the discontinuation of pre-release press screenings for their films. Just days before the release of Jigra, the production house issued a statement saying, “After much deliberation, we’ve unanimously decided to forgo pre-release screenings for our upcoming films. This decision has been difficult, but we believe it’s a necessary step.”
According to a source from Dharma, the decision aims to address corruption within a segment of film critics. The insider revealed that during press screenings, monetary exchanges often occur, leading to biased reviews.
Some influencers, posing as critics, allegedly charge between ₹15,000 and ₹60,000 for favorable reviews. The same insider also mentioned the possibility of planting negative reviews as part of this practice.
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FAQs
Q.1. Why did Dharma Productions stop pre-release screenings?
Ans. Dharma Productions halted pre-release screenings to combat alleged corruption among some critics and influencers who charge for biased reviews.
Q.2. What is the controversy surrounding Jigra and Divya Khosla?
Ans. Divya Khosla accused the movie of manipulating its box office numbers and claimed similarities between Jigra and her film Saavi.
Q.3. What are Divya Khosla’s accusations against Jigra’s makers?
Ans Divya Khosla claims that its script was altered from her film Saavi, which also revolves around a jailbreak theme.
Q.4. How has Jigra performed at the box office?
Ans. The movie collected ₹4.55 crores on day one and ₹6.55 crores on day two, totaling ₹11.10 crores in two days.
Q.5. What is Karan Johar’s response to Divya Khosla’s accusations?
Ans. Karan Johar dismissed Divya’s claims as insignificant through a cryptic Instagram story, without directly addressing her.
