Jigra: What did the actor allege?
Alia Bhatt‘s latest release ‘Jigra‘ is surrounded by controversies. It has been a topic of discussion on social media ever since it hit the theatres. After being accused of copying the story and manipulating box office numbers, now an actor has also alleged discrimination because he is from the Northeast. Actor Bijou Thaangjam, who has been a part of films like ‘Mary Kom’, ‘Shivaay’, ‘Rocketry’ and others, has accused the makers of casting him for the role in Jigra but never contacting him after the shooting began.
What did the actor allege?
The actor said, ‘I am not writing this with any agenda or accusation. I just want to share the reality of how actors like me from the Northeast are often treated by big production houses. Hopefully, this will give us some insight into what we face.’
He wrote in his ex post, ‘In the year 2023, I was contacted by their casting team to audition for a role. I sent my tapes twice in a span of four months, as per their timeline. By the end of November, they told me I would be shooting in December – brilliant, right? Except they never gave me any fixed shooting dates. Still, they booked me for the entire month of December, hoping I would be ready to shoot for them any time
As someone who lives in Imphal, Manipur, I made it clear from the beginning that travel arrangements would need to be made, but it seems like that made no difference.’
I’m not writing this with any agenda or accusations. I just want to share the reality of how actors like me from the Northeast are often treated by big production houses. Hopefully, this sheds some light on what we face
Bijou Thangjam further added, ‘I was in the dark for the whole month, communicating with the casting team, but I did not get any proper update about when I would be needed. The last message I got was on December 26, which said ‘waiting for revert’ and after that – complete silence. Meanwhile, I missed out on other projects, as I kept sitting, waiting for them to give me the green signal.
But, that never happened.’ The actor further added, ‘I understand how big production houses work. The director is undoubtedly talented, but the way he handled this whole situation was extremely unprofessional. For actors like me from the Northeast, it felt particularly neglectful, almost discriminatory. My time was wasted and I lost other opportunities, because they expected me to be available at a notice.’ However, the makers of ‘Jigra‘ are yet to respond to Thangjam‘s allegations.
