Alia Bhatt’s Jigra and Divya Khossla’s Savi both follow the stories of women involved in daring jailbreaks in foreign countries to rescue loved ones. While both films share this intriguing premise, the similarities have sparked debate, leading to accusations that Jigra copied elements from Savi. Let's take a closer look at both films, their plots, themes, characters, and whether the allegations hold any merit Jigra vs Savi.
Plot Overview: Jigra vs Savi
| Aspect | Jigra | Savi |
|---|---|---|
| Director | Vasan Bala | Abhinay Deo |
| Lead Actors | Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa | Divya Khossla, Anil Kapoor |
| Setting | A fictitious Southeast Asian country | Liverpool, UK |
| Story Premise | A woman plans a jailbreak to rescue her brother | A housewife plots a jailbreak to free her husband |
| Guardian Angel | Manoj Pahwa as Bhatia, a retired gang leader | Anil Kapoor as Joydeep, an ex-convict |
| Action Start | Takes time to build the emotional backstory | Launches into action from the first scene |
Both films feature women collaborating with older, morally ambiguous men to pull off daring rescues, but each takes a different approach to storytelling. While Jigra leans more into emotional buildup, Savi plunges right into the action from the start, offering a fast-paced narrative.
Allegations of Similarity: Are They Justified?
The core plot of both films revolves around a jailbreak, which is where most of the controversy stems from. However, upon closer inspection, several differences emerge:
Tone and Execution: Jigra focuses more on action and thrills, while Savi is driven by emotional conflict.
Character Arcs: Alia’s character, Satya, starts with a tough and resourceful demeanor, whereas Savi’s character evolves from a timid housewife into a brave and determined individual.
Jailbreak Complexity: The jailbreak in Jigra is intricately planned with many moving parts, while Savi emphasizes personal turmoil over complex heists.
These differences suggest that while the films share common tropes, they each offer a distinct experience.
Character Comparison: Satya vs Savi
| Aspect | Satya (Jigra) | Savi (Savi) |
|---|---|---|
| Personality | Hot-headed, prone to violence | A timid housewife turned determined savior |
| Skill Set | Resourceful professional, physically capable | Initially clueless but learns to adapt |
| Journey | Already heroic, with Bachchan references | Evolves into a hero throughout the story |
| Motive | Free her brother at all costs | Rescue her husband from wrongful imprisonment |
Satya and Savi may seem similar, but their personalities and character arcs diverge. Satya is presented as a hero from the start, whereas Savi’s journey is about earning her resilience and strength over time.
Shared Themes vs Bollywood Tropes
Recurring Tropes: Both films use familiar themes like jailbreaks, guardian angels with dark pasts, and women doing extraordinary things.
Moral Ambiguity: Both protagonists pursue their goals without worrying about the consequences, adding a layer of moral complexity.
Underdog vs Action Hero: Savi plays the underdog card, whereas Jigra leans towards presenting Satya as a larger-than-life figure from the start.
The films follow some Bollywood tropes, but these are well-worn concepts that have been used many times before, as seen in past films like Gumrah.
Why the Controversy?
Divya Khossla’s public accusation that Jigra copied Savi stirred debates. She even claimed that Alia Bhatt bought tickets herself to inflate box office numbers. However, such conflicts are not new to Bollywood. Similar controversies have arisen in the past, such as multiple Bhagat Singh biopics released simultaneously.
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Conclusion
While Jigra and Savi share some plot elements, the differences in tone, execution, and character arcs suggest that these similarities may be coincidental. Both films offer unique takes on the jailbreak concept and cater to different audience preferences. In an industry where similar themes often emerge simultaneously, it's not unusual to see multiple films exploring the same narrative space.
