Jigra Review (Quick): Alia Bhatt's powerful performance is the highlight of the gripping first half

Jigra Review (quick): We have seen the first half of Alia Bhatt and Vedang Raina starrer. Read to know how the Vasan Bala's movie is so far.

Alia Bhatt's much-awaited film Jigra releases in theatres today. We are seeing Alia in a never-before-seen avatar in this action drama. Directed by Vasan Bala, the film also stars Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, and Aditya Nanda. The story is co-written by Vasan and Debashish and produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Production and Alia's Eternal Sunshine Productions. Achint Thakkar and Manpreet Singh have composed the music. The runtime is 2 hours, 33 minutes.

As seen in the trailer, Jigra is the story of a girl named Satya (Alia Bhatt), who would go to any lengths to save her brother (Vedang Raina). She is ready to fight with any danger and play with the fire, if that is what it takes to protect her only family.

In the first half, we get a peek into Satya and Ankur's life before the latter lands in trouble. The siblings lost their parents at an early age and have been living with their Bade Papa and his family. Ankur goes to Hanshi Dao for a business trip with his cousin Kabir. However, the duo land in legal trouble, and only Ankur has to pay the price for it. He has three months before he gets electrocuted to death. Satya leaves everything behind in India and goes to Hanshi Dao to save her brother.

The first half keeps you engrossed with a solid buildup that shows how prison life and rules are in Hanshi Dao. Simultaneously, we see Satya doing her best in the right way to save her brother. However, when nothing works out, she chooses to walk the wrong path. After all, saving her brother is the only motive in her life now.

Jigra's first half is gripping and packed with intense emotions, along with Alia Bhatt's sincere performance. There's never a dull moment or distraction. The background music and songs only elevate the emotions and intensity of the story. Without saying much, despite keeping a stoic face most of the time, Bhatt conveys the pain she's going through, seeing her younger brother in trouble.

Three and a half stars (3.5 stars)