Alia delivers a solid performance, but the thriller falls short of its potential

Review: Revenge and prison break dramas thrive on robust scripts and scripts that deliver thrills of the highest order and impress the viewer with poignancy. The thriller from director Vasan Bala, Jigra, starts strong and introduces Satya (Alia Bhatt), a resilient and reliable young woman who wants to protect her younger brother Ankur (Vedang Raina) at all costs.

When Ankur is charged with drug charges on the unforgiving Southeast Asian island of Hanshi Dao, Satya transforms into a force to be reckoned with. Undeterred by the harsh law enforcement that imposes death sentences on those caught on drug charges, she sets out on a daring mission to free him. Together with retired gangster Bhatia (Manoj Pahwa) and an ex-cop, Satya devises a complicated plan to free four young men – including Ankur – from prison after the legal system fails to deliver justice.

The premise had enormous potential in depicting the journey of a sister making morally questionable decisions and dealing with the strict system of a foreign country. But what should have prepared the viewer for a captivating and impressive ride soon turns out to be chaotic. Written by Bala and Debashish Irengbam, the story becomes one-dimensional and the narrative focuses more on stylized action than substance. Even a parallel plot to the prison break only increases the complexity. Satya's chain of actions to take action against the tyrants becomes more and more repetitive.

The film has moments of brilliance that are due to cinematographer Swapnil S Sonawane and action director Vikram Dahiya, who excel in delivering clever and well-executed stunts and action sequences. Scenes like Satya sliding down a sloping roof and the pyrotechnics are impressive. However, the storylines are characterized by tedious sequences and for the most part the focus is mainly on Satya's daring rather than the plot itself.

Alia Bhatt delivers an outstanding performance as an action star and a deeply emotional character. The actress pulls off the death-defying stunts with elan and convincingly portrays anger, helplessness and resilience. Vedang Raina does his role as the brother well. Special mention goes to Manoj Pahwa as Satya's accomplice, whose son is also imprisoned.

While Jigra features moments of brilliance, particularly through Alia Bhatt's remarkable performance and impressive action sequences, its chaotic narrative and focus on style over substance detract from its overall impact. A leaner narrative and a stronger premise would have greatly enhanced this film.