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Jazbaa
Theatrical release poster
Directed bySanjay Gupta
Screenplay bySanjay Gupta
Robin Bhatt
Based onSeven Days
by Won Shin-yun
Produced bySanjay Gupta
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan[1]
Anuradha Gupta
Nittin Keni
Akash Chawla
Sachiin Joshi
Raina Sachiin Joshi
Ajay Yadav (Executive)
Vishal A. Singh (Creative Executive)
StarringAishwarya Rai Bachchan
Irrfan Khan
Shabana Azmi
CinematographySameer Arya
Edited bySunil Nayak
Music bySongs:
Amjad-Nadeem
Arko
Badshah
Background score:
Amar Mohile
Production
companies
Essel Vision Productions
Viking Media & Entertainment
White Feather Films
Distributed byZee Studios
Release date
  • 9 October 2015 (2015-10-09)
Running time
123 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget₹28–30 crore[2][3]
Box office₹42.67 crore[4]

Jazbaa (transl. Passion/Emotion) is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Sanjay Gupta. The film's narrative revolves around an attorney forced to defend an unsavory criminal after her daughter is kidnapped. It stars Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Irrfan Khan, with Shabana Azmi, Jackie Shroff, Atul Kulkarni and Chandan Roy Sanyal in supporting roles. It is a remake of the 2007 South Korean film Seven Days.[5][6] The film was released on 9 October 2015.[7][8] The film marked Aishwarya's return on screen after a five-year break.[9]

Rai's performance received nominations for Best Actor in an Action Role at 2015 Big Star Entertainment Awards and in 2016, Screen Award for Best Actress (Popular Choice).[10] She won Power-packed performance of the year at Stardust Awards.[11]

Plot

[edit]

Anuradha Verma is a prominent criminal lawyer and a single mother who has never lost a case. On the day of a parent-child race organised in her daughter Sanaya's school, Sanaya is abducted. The kidnapper contacts Anuradha and tells her that she has to defend a convicted felon in order to get her daughter back. Anuradha lies to family and friends, saying that Sanaya is safe at her grandmother's house, so that the law enforcement is not involved. The felon is Niyaaz Shaikh, who was charged for the rape and murder of a young woman named Sia, and the case against him is set for hearing in four days. The kidnapper keeps track of Anuradha very closely to make sure that she complies with his demands. All evidence suggests that Niyaaz is the perpetrator, so Anuradha has to work hard to win the case, and with time running out, she tries to get help from her policeman friend Yohan, who has been suspended from the force by other corrupt officers for flouting the rules and regulations too often.

The case against Niyaaz is being closely monitored by influential politician Mahesh Maklai. Mahesh asks renowned public prosecutor Ronit, who has been defeated by Anuradha in the past, to take up the case as rape is a critical issue the current government is fighting. Anuradha tries to gather information by hook or crook, including lying to Sia's mother Garima Chaudhary. Anuradha discovers that Mahesh's son, Sam, was Sia's boyfriend, and Niyaaz was their drug dealer. Niyaaz had raped and killed Sia after delivering drugs to her home, while Sam was intoxicated and passed out.

As Anuradha returns home one evening, she is taken hostage by Mahesh and his henchmen. The politician explains to her that when Sam woke up, he panicked and contacted his father to help him dispose of Sia's corpse. Cutting the gas pipes and planning to set Anuradha's house on fire, the men leave her bound and gagged on the floor. However, she unties herself and escapes.

After returning to court, Anuradha is able to get Niyaaz out on bail due to the missing murder weapon and also implicates Mahesh and Sam as co-conspirators of the murder, thus destroying Mahesh's political career. As promised, Sanaya is released, but suffers an allergic reaction. Fortunately, Anuradha is able to reach her daughter in time.

As Yohan and Anuradha continue digging, they realise that Garima was behind Sanaya's kidnapping. Garima blackmailed Anuradha to free Niyaaz, allowing her to kidnap and burn him to death, since she found the death sentence or life imprisonment to be insufficient punishment for someone who brutally raped and murdered her daughter. Garima insists she never meant to hurt Sanaya, and apologises to Anuradha for what she put her through. Though furious, Anuradha offers her services as a lawyer to Garima when she is apprehended by police.

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

According to reports, John Abraham was supposed to play the male lead in the film.[12] However, the film-maker Sanjay Gupta dismissed the rumors and said "John was never cast for the role".[13] Irrfan Khan was signed to star opposite Aishwarya and Shabana Azmi, Jackie Shroff, Atul Kulkarni and Chandan Roy Sanyal were confirmed as a part of the film's supporting cast.[citation needed]

Aishwarya studied to portray a lawyer in the film. She met lawyers and even went through various court case clippings to get the nuances of her character right.[14] Filming began in January 2015,[15] and the film was shot in and around Mumbai.[16][17] The shooting of the film was completed in 51 days.[18]

Soundtrack

[edit]
Jazbaa
Soundtrack album by
Amjad-Nadeem, Arko, Badshah
Released7 September 2015 (2015-09-07)
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length20:13
LanguageHindi
LabelZee Music Company

The first promotional song of the film titled "Bandeyaa" was released on 7 September 2015.[19] The music is composed by Amjad-Nadeem, Arko and Badshah. The full audio album released on 1 October 2015 by Zee Music Company.[20]

No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Bandeyaa"Amjad-Nadeem, Sanjay GuptaAmjad-NadeemJubin Nautiyal04:43
2."Kahaaniya"ArkoArkoNilofer Wani, Arko04:03
3."Aaj Raat Ka Scene"BadshahBadshahBadshah, Shraddha Pandit03:30
4."Bandeyaa (Reprise)"Sanjay GuptaAmjad-NadeemAsees Kaur04:19
5."Jaane Tere Shehar"ArkoArkoVipin Aneja03:39
Total length:20:13

Reception

[edit]

Critical reception

[edit]

Meena Iyer of The Times of India gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and stated "Jazbaa's narrative has pace and power. Aishwarya is rusty at the start but eventually takes charge of the dual aspects of her character. Once in the groove, her eyes breathe fire. Irrfan breezes past with clap-trap Kamlesh Pandey dialogues and Shabana is flawless."[21] Daily News and Analysis rated the film with 3.5 stars out of 5 and commented "What makes Jazbaa a satisfying experience is it's fast-paced, taut and has a run time of two hours, allowing you little time to think. The court-room scenes are brilliant, Aishwarya looks gorgeous and gutted as the scene requires her to be, but it is the supporting cast who lift the film several notches above."[22] Zee News gave a rating of 3.5 stars out of 5 noted "Overall, 'Jazbaa' is compelling and an ensemble that lived up-to its expectation. For Aishwarya –The age-appropriate role was pulled off impeccably and she also showed a few action stunts".[23] Sonia Chopra from Sify gave the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and noted "Despite the story being highly far-fetched, the film is still arresting for its pacy storytelling, actors who perform with conviction, and a few interesting surprises in the finale. Worth a watch!."[24] Filmfare rated 3 stars out of 5, praised the performances of all the actors and noted "The film steams up some good thrills and then throws a bucket full of sentimentality over them and douses them out. Aishwarya performance as a confident lawyer but vulnerable mother is fantastic."[25] The Guardian also gave the film 3 stars, and mentioned "For all the rot Gupta dwells on, there's something refreshing about Jazbaa within the wider Bollywood context: it'll make for brisk, pacy, adult entertainment."[26]

Bollywood Hungama gave it 3 stars, stating "Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with her 'initially-rusty-later spellbinding' performance, carries the film on her shoulders. On the whole, JAZBAA is a captivating thriller with good performances that make it a decent one-time watch."[27] Mid-Day rated 3 stars and noted "Sanjay Gupta had gone a little easy on the unnecessary and intrusive melodrama. Even then, it's a good one time watch for sure. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan perfectly looks the part and even does a fairly decent job, barring certain emotional scenes where she clearly goes over the top."[28] Writing for Hindustan Times, Rohit Vats gave a rating of 3 stated, "The film is a well paced thriller, but primary characters' penchant for invoking whistles dilutes the thrill to some extent. Aishwarya Rai and Irrfan will take you to a new territory and then keep you there for most of its 130-minute duration. Jazbaa is a good watch this weekend."[29] Gayatri Gauri from Firstpost said "The screenplay moves fast in a gripping enough thriller mode. Gupta displays his old penchant for slick action and weaves a fairly engrossing tale."[30] IANS gave the film 3.5 stars commented that "With ample thrill and entertainment, this one is a good weekend watch. Aishwarya, seen on screen after a long hiatus, has a pivotal role, which she dons to perfection. However, the picture-perfect designing of the film is over-egged, giving the film a glossy, albeit, synthetic and unreal look."[31] Subhash K. Jha said that "It's a hardhitting unconstitutional message, packaged and projected with a precarious panache peculiar to Sanjay Gupta's cinema. The shared moments between Aishwarya and Shabana Azmi are a marvel to behold."[32]

On the contrary, Shomini Sen from CNN-IBN criticised the film for its melodramatic, high pitched and unintentionally funny dialogues and wrote "Jazbaa scores only because of the performances. Aishwarya Rai grunts and screeches on some scenes but manages to deliver a convincing performance."[33] Ananya Bhattacharya writing for India Today gave 2.5 stars criticized Gupta's direction and wrote "The problem with Jazbaa lies in the overdose of melodrama and dialogues that make your ears bleed. One aspect that works in favour of the film is Jazbaa does raise some pertinent questions about the way justice is (un)delivered in the country. Watch Jazbaa for the performances."[34] Saibal Chatterjee from NDTV gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and stated "Jazbaa is a slick production all right and it does deliver a few thrilling moments and an above-average climax. Overall, Jazbaa feels like a wasted effort, a clear case of superficial style triumphing over substance by a fair distance. But it has just enough for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan fans to justify a trip to the multiplexes."[35] Sukanya Verma of Rediff gave 2 stars and described the film as "A mostly watchable thriller marred by its director Sanjay Gupta's penchant for excesses."[36]

Box office

[edit]

The film collected ₹42.3 million (US$500,000) nett on its first day.[37] The first weekend collection stand at ₹152 million (US$1.8 million) nett.[38]

The film grossed around $1.2 million (₹ 78.1 million) in its opening weekend at International Markets.[39]

In its lifetime, Jazbaa grossed between ₹33.19–[40] 429 million.[2]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jazbaa

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jazbaa is a 2015 Indian Hindi-language directed and produced by , co-produced by , and serving as an official remake of the 2007 South Korean Seven Days. The story centers on Anuradha Verma, a prominent criminal and single mother portrayed by in her first major leading role since 2010, who is compelled to defend a convicted rapist and drug peddler, Niyaaz Shaikh (Chandan Roy Sanyal), against a death sentence after her daughter is kidnapped by unknown assailants demanding no but her successful within four days. co-stars as the suspended Yohan, who aids Anuradha in uncovering the conspiracy, supported by a cast including , , and . Released on 9 October 2015, Jazbaa marked Rai Bachchan's return to following her maternity break, generating pre-release buzz centered on her performance and the film's intense premise addressing crimes against women. Despite this, the film underperformed commercially, opening to approximately ₹3.3 nett in and concluding its domestic run at around ₹30 nett, classifying it as an average to below-average grosser given its budget and star power. Critically, Jazbaa received mixed reviews, with praise for Rai Bachchan's committed portrayal amid a convoluted plot but criticism for its sloppy execution, predictable twists, and lack of character depth, earning a 33% approval rating on and a 5.7/10 on . Post-release, director Gupta expressed regret over studio interference and poor marketing that altered the film's intended tone, while reports emerged that Rai Bachchan received only a fraction of her agreed fee due to production disputes.

Synopsis

Plot summary

Anuradha Verma, a high-profile in , specializes in securing acquittals for guilty clients through legal maneuvering, while maintaining a close bond with her pre-teen daughter, Sara, following her . Her routine is shattered when Sara is kidnapped by unknown assailants, who issue an ultimatum: Anuradha must defend Niyaz Shaikh, a convicted rapist and murderer awaiting execution on death row, and prove his innocence within a 72-hour deadline, or Sara will be killed. Reluctantly taking the case despite her ethical qualms and lack of preparation time, Anuradha partners with Yohan, a suspended with a troubled history and personal vendetta tied to similar past crimes, to investigate Shaikh's claims of wrongful . Yohan's motivations stem from unresolved grievances against systemic failures in prior investigations, while the kidnappers' demands hint at deeper connections to Shaikh's backstory involving alleged police framing and hidden evidence. As the deadline looms, their probe exposes entrenched in the and , challenging Anuradha's professional detachment and forcing confrontations with moral compromises in the pursuit of justice. The narrative culminates in revelations about the orchestration of events, linking the kidnapping to broader institutional malfeasance.

Development

Conception and remake adaptation

Jazbaa originated as a project by director to facilitate Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's return to acting after a five-year hiatus following the birth of her daughter Aaradhya in November 2011. The film was publicly announced in May 2014, with Gupta producing under his banner White Feather Films. The drew from the 2007 South Korean thriller Seven Days, directed by Shin-yeon Won, which centers on a lawyer compelled to defend a criminal to rescue her kidnapped child within a tight deadline. acquired to a Korean film—though he initially denied it was specifically Seven Days pre-release—and co-wrote the adaptation with , incorporating elements tailored to Indian procedural and cultural settings while retaining the core premise of legal coercion and familial peril. The production budget was estimated at ₹25 for principal costs, plus an additional ₹10 for prints and advertising, totaling around ₹35 . This reflected Gupta's intent to craft a high-stakes thriller emphasizing empirical urgency over stylistic excess, diverging from his prior action-oriented works.

Casting process

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was selected for the lead role of lawyer Anuradha Verma, marking her return to after a four-year hiatus following the birth of her daughter Aaradhya in November 2011. Director , who also produced the film under Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Productions, prioritized an actress capable of embodying a strong, multifaceted female protagonist with both dramatic depth and commercial draw to anchor the thriller's high-stakes narrative. Rai Bachchan's involvement extended to co-production, reflecting her commitment to the project as her post-maternity comeback vehicle. Irrfan Khan was cast as the suspended detective Yohan, chosen for his reputation in delivering intense, understated performances that could complement the film's investigative tension. Khan later stated that Rai Bachchan's participation was the primary factor in his decision to join, describing it as an instinctual choice driven by her talent rather than the script alone, despite the role's potential to be overshadowed by the lead. This pairing aimed to blend star power with credible ensemble dynamics for broader appeal. Supporting roles were filled to enhance dramatic weight, with veteran actress portraying the accused's mother Garima Chaudhary, leveraging her experience in emotionally charged parts, and as the prosecution lawyer , adding legal procedural authenticity. Child actress was selected for the pivotal role of Anuradha's kidnapped daughter Sanaya, requiring a performer able to convey vulnerability amid the thriller's urgency. Abhishek Bachchan, Rai Bachchan's husband, influenced her acceptance of the role through encouragement and contributed a brief , though not initially considered for a principal part.

Production

Principal photography

Principal photography for Jazbaa commenced on January 27, 2015, initially featuring , with principal locations centered in , including studios and real-world sites such as the Fort area, Ballard Pier, and the Asiatic Library. joined the shoot on February 3, 2015, marking her return to on-camera work after a five-year hiatus from lead roles. The production faced an initial delay due to Irrfan Khan undergoing surgery for chronic back pain in late 2014, which pushed back the planned start from December 2014. Further complications arose in April 2015 from a technical glitch during filming, requiring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to extend her schedule and postpone a personal trip to . Despite these setbacks, the core shoot progressed through Mumbai's urban and studio environments, focusing on and thriller sequences, and wrapped principal filming by June 2015 without reported budget overruns or extensions beyond the planned timeline.

Technical aspects and post-production

Cinematography for Jazbaa was handled by Sameer Arya, who employed low, wide-angle frames to capture Mumbai's skyline and urban grit, contributing to the film's visual dynamism. Arya's work emphasized nifty camerawork that complemented the thriller's pacing, with reviewers noting its impressive execution in conveying the city's flamboyant underbelly. Editing duties fell to Bunty Nagi, whose cuts were described as crisp, ensuring the 137-minute runtime sustained momentum without unnecessary drag. This post-filming refinement focused on tightening the narrative's elements, bridging raw footage into a cohesive sequence of confrontations and pursuits. , completed ahead of the October 9, 2015 release, incorporated that integrated Ilaiyaraaja's score to amplify suspense, though specific mixing techniques emphasized clarity in dialogue-heavy scenes over elaborate effects. No extensive were highlighted in production credits, with the film's technical emphasis remaining on practical cinematographic and choices rather than digital augmentation.

Cast and characters

Lead roles

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan stars as Anuradha Verma, a prominent criminal who defends high-profile clients. The film marked Rai Bachchan's return to feature films after a four-year hiatus following the release of Heroine in 2012 and the birth of her daughter in November 2011. plays Yohan, a suspended police enlisted to aid in a time-sensitive case. Shabana Azmi portrays Garima Chaudhary, the mother of a convicted criminal central to the narrative's conflict.

Supporting roles

portrays Garima Chaudhary, the grieving mother of the rape and murder victim Sia, whose determined pursuit of underscores the prosecution's resolve and heightens the moral stakes in the courtroom proceedings. plays Niyaaz Shaikh, the convicted rapist and murderer whose impending execution serves as the linchpin for the film's central legal defense, embodying the whose and defense drive the thriller's investigative elements. depicts Ronit, the sharp prosecution lawyer who rigorously opposes the defense, contributing to the adversarial dynamics of the trial sequences. appears in a cameo as Home Minister Mahesh Maklai, a political figure whose influence introduces layers of institutional pressure and corruption into the narrative. Additional supporting performers include as Sanaya Verma, the kidnapped daughter whose peril motivates the protagonist's actions and amplifies the personal urgency of the case. enacts Sia, the young artist victim whose death forms the basis of the charges against Niyaaz, providing context for the crime's emotional and evidentiary details. Abhimanyu Singh and others fill ensemble roles such as investigators and court officials, bolstering the procedural authenticity and ensemble interplay in the thriller's high-tension environments. These characters collectively deepen the film's exploration of legal intricacies, familial bonds, and systemic flaws without overshadowing the primary conflict.

Music

Soundtrack composition

The soundtrack of Jazbaa features six songs composed by the duo Amjad-Nadeem, Arko Pravo , and rapper Badshah. Lyrics for the tracks were primarily written by the composers, with contributions from director on select songs such as "Bandeyaa". The songs include "Bandeyaa" (composed by Amjad-Nadeem), "Kahaaniya" (composed by ), "Jaane Tere Shehar" (composed by ), "Aaj Raat Ka Scene" (composed by Badshah), "Bandeyaa (Reprise)", and the "Jazbaa Theme". The full audio album was released on 1 October 2015 by , ahead of the film's theatrical debut. This collection totals approximately 20 minutes in length and integrates melodic ballads with contemporary rhythms tailored to the thriller narrative. Separately, the background score was composed by , who crafted instrumental cues to underscore suspense and dramatic tension throughout the film. Mohile, son of veteran composer Anil Mohile, focused on functional to support the action-thriller pacing without overpowering the dialogue-driven sequences.

Critical reception of music

The soundtrack of Jazbaa, released on September 7, 2015, received mixed responses from critics, who noted its departure from the high-energy, dance-oriented tracks typical of Bollywood thrillers in favor of a more subdued and melodic approach. Reviewers appreciated the soothing quality of songs like "Bandeya," composed by Amjad-Nadeem and sung by , for its hummable melody and soft instrumentation, which provided emotional depth suitable for the film's tense narrative. However, the album was critiqued for lacking the pulsating rhythm expected in the genre, with some tracks feeling mismatched for promotional hype. Arko Pravo Mukherjee's contributions, such as "Kahaaniya," were highlighted for their poignant vocals by Nilofer Wani, evoking a sense of longing that aligned with the thriller's themes, though the overall composition was seen as unremarkable compared to contemporaries. Badshah's rap-infused title track "Jazbaa" drew particular criticism for disrupting the album's cohesion, described as a "spoiled attempt" that prioritized commercial appeal over integration with the rest of the score. Despite these flaws, was deemed "not bad at all" by some, offering an interesting mix that avoided over-the-top elements. The album's chart performance was modest, with no songs achieving top positions on major platforms like or Hungama charts, reflecting limited radio play and digital traction amid competition from more upbeat releases that year. Critics from noted that while individual tracks like the title song captured a fitting "pace and vibe" for promotional use, the soundtrack failed to generate widespread buzz or enduring .

Release

Marketing and promotion

The first-look poster featuring Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was unveiled at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival on May 21, where she appeared kneeling against an urban skyline, emphasizing the film's thriller intensity. A subsequent poster of co-star Irrfan Khan, depicting him in a leather jacket with a determined expression, was released on May 25 to highlight the narrative's high-stakes tension. These visuals positioned Jazbaa as a gritty legal thriller, aligning with pre-release hype around Rai Bachchan's return to acting after a five-year hiatus following her last role in Guzaarish (2010). The official trailer launched on August 25, 2015, via , quickly accumulating millions of views by showcasing Rai Bachchan's character racing against time to save her kidnapped daughter, underscoring the film's core premise of desperation and moral compromise. Promotional efforts leveraged this comeback storyline, with director confirming active plans including releases to build anticipation ahead of the October 9 premiere. Marketing included targeted events such as appearances by Rai Bachchan and Gupta at Mumbai's on , where they engaged students post-trailer and song unveilings to generate buzz among younger demographics. Rai Bachchan and initiated broader promotions on August 26, framing the film as her emphatic re-entry into lead roles, with a focus on the thriller's edge-of-seat elements rather than romantic tropes from her past hits. A promotional track was also developed to add stylistic appeal, though specific brand partnerships remained limited in public disclosures.

Distribution and platforms

Jazbaa was released theatrically on October 9, 2015, in and . The film opened simultaneously in over 40 international territories, including the , , the , , and the , securing more than 100 screens in alone to target audiences. Versions dubbed in , English, Spanish, and were prepared for select overseas markets to enhance accessibility. Home media distribution included DVD releases, with copies entering retail channels by mid-2016. Blu-ray editions followed, though specific regional rollout dates varied. The film became available on digital streaming platforms, including and , enabling on-demand access for subscribers.

Reception

Critical analysis

Critics offered mixed assessments of Jazbaa upon its 9 October 2015 release, with aggregate scores reflecting middling quality; compiled a 33% approval rating from 15 reviews, while individual outlets issued ratings typically between 1.5 and 3.5 out of 5. The film was frequently described as a pulpy thriller hampered by execution flaws, prioritizing Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's status over narrative coherence, though its brisk pacing occasionally salvaged value. Irrfan Khan's restrained portrayal of the alcoholic lawyer Yohan was a consistent highlight, providing subtlety and anchoring the film's emotional core amid otherwise exaggerated elements; reviewers noted his performance as the "saving grace" that elevated scenes through understated intensity and chemistry with Rai. The thriller's taut rhythm and lean structure were also praised for maintaining momentum toward the climax, delivering edge-of-seat tension despite contrivances. Conversely, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's intense, histrionic depiction of the protagonist drew criticism for overacting and emotional excess, undermining the character's credibility as a poised . Script weaknesses, including numerous plot holes, unresolved inconsistencies, and logical gaps in the legal and investigative proceedings, further eroded plausibility, with some faulting the lack of empathy-building for characters despite the high-stakes premise. Judicial elements were seen as particularly unconvincing, amplifying over procedural realism. As an adaptation of the 2007 South Korean film Seven Days, Jazbaa adhered closely to the core premise of a coerced defense lawyer racing against a deadline but introduced deviations to emphasize Indian societal issues, such as heightened focus on rape culture, victim-blaming, and systemic in and courts, without romanticizing institutional flaws. These alterations intensified critiques of bureaucratic inefficiency and moral compromise, aligning the narrative with local realism, though they occasionally strained the original's tighter logic.

Box office performance

Jazbaa collected ₹4.23 nett on its opening day in on 9 October , rising to ₹15.24 nett over the three-day weekend. The first-week domestic nett total reached ₹21 . The film's lifetime domestic nett collections stood at ₹25.23 crore, translating to an India gross of ₹35.04 crore, while overseas markets contributed ₹7.63 crore, for a worldwide gross of ₹42.67 crore. Produced on a budget of ₹28 crore, these figures positioned Jazbaa as a below-average performer commercially, recovering roughly 90% of its cost through domestic nett earnings alone. Performance was bolstered by urban multiplex chains, where occupancy rates held steady post-opening, but it faltered in mass-market single screens and B-C centers, hampered by muted word-of-mouth and concurrent regional film releases during the Navratri season. No official verdict labeled it a hit, reflecting its to sustain momentum beyond initial curiosity for Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's post-maternity screen return.

Audience and retrospective views

Upon its release, Jazbaa garnered a mixed reception, reflected in an user rating of 5.7 out of 10 based on over 3,800 votes, where viewers frequently commended Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's intense performance as the desperate Anuradha Verma despite acknowledging flaws in pacing and plot predictability. Many fans expressed appreciation for Rai Bachchan's emotional depth and return to form after a five-year hiatus, viewing her role as a highlight that elevated the thriller's suspenseful elements over stylistic excesses. In retrospective analyses during the , particularly following its availability on over-the-top (OTT) platforms, Jazbaa has been reevaluated as a pivotal comeback vehicle for Rai Bachchan, emphasizing its role in showcasing a female protagonist navigating high-stakes legal and personal crises amid Bollywood's growing emphasis on women-centric narratives. On the film's ninth anniversary in October 2024, commentators highlighted how it captivated audiences with its gripping premise, positioning it as an early example of intense, character-driven thrillers led by female stars, even as initial viewership focused more on star power than narrative innovation. These revisits often contrast audience enthusiasm for the film's motifs—such as a mother's fierce agency against systemic —with critiques of trope-heavy reliance on familial peril to drive the plot, though user forums show persistent divide, with some praising the raw maternal resolve as authentic while others see it as formulaic.

Themes and legacy

Core themes and social commentary

Jazbaa explores the tension between judicial expediency and chronic delays in India's legal system, portraying how high-profile cases can be fast-tracked for execution while routine matters languish due to procedural bottlenecks and . The narrative centers on a facing imminent for and , expedited unusually swiftly, which underscores causal chains where political or influential pressures override standard timelines, contrasting with empirical realities where rape trials often extend years amid backlog. This depiction highlights systemic failures, including and favoritism enabling such disparities, as seen when the secures victories through illicit means before personal stakes compel further ethical compromises. The film grounds its commentary in realism by opening with statistics on India's low rape conviction rates, mirroring National Crime Records Bureau data from 2015 that recorded over 34,000 reported rape cases amid persistently low successful prosecutions, often below 30% due to evidentiary gaps, witness intimidation, and investigative lapses. This pre-credits fact underscores causal realism in perpetrator impunity, linking corruption not to excusable motives but to entrenched incentives that erode accountability, such as police complicity and prosecutorial weaknesses. However, the story critiques how personal vulnerabilities—like the lawyer's kidnapped daughter—can override professional ethics, illustrating individual agency navigating flawed institutions yet risking perpetuation of the very corruption decried. While achieving impact by spotlighting these issues without sanitizing portrayals of judicial rot, Jazbaa draws for melodramatic oversimplification, prioritizing visceral personal drama over nuanced exploration of broader reforms like enhanced forensic capabilities or enforcement. Reviews note its failure to delve into root causal factors, such as inadequate training or political interference in policing, opting instead for heroic that, though empowering, sidesteps systemic essential for addressing low empirics. This approach yields partial truth-seeking, effectively alerting audiences to corruption's human costs but underemphasizing evidence-based solutions beyond expedited trials.

Awards, nominations, and cultural impact

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan's portrayal in earned nominations for her action-oriented performance, though the film itself secured no major wins. She was nominated in the gender-neutral in an Action Role category at the 2015 Big Star Entertainment Awards, competing against male nominees including . At the 2016 , Rai Bachchan received a for Reader's Choice (Jury) and a Special Award win, recognizing her return to lead roles. These accolades highlighted her physical commitment to the role, involving demanding stunts without body doubles, but reflected the film's niche appeal rather than broad critical dominance.
Award CeremonyYearCategoryRecipientOutcome
Big Star Entertainment Awards2015Best Actor in an Action Role (Male/Female)Nominated
2016Reader's Choice Best Actress (Jury)Nominated
2016Special AwardWon
The film's cultural footprint centers on Rai Bachchan's comeback after a five-year absence post-maternity in 2011, positioning Jazbaa as a benchmark for maternal resilience in high-stakes thrillers. It underscored vulnerabilities in urban women's safety and judicial impartiality, resonating in contemporaneous discourse on gender dynamics in Indian cinema without sparking remakes or genre shifts. While director defended its adaptive originality from international sources, Jazbaa's legacy remains modest, with no verifiable emulation in subsequent Bollywood female-led action-thrillers or sustained societal commentary beyond initial release buzz in 2015.

References

  1. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/jazbaa
  2. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-details/jazbaa/movieshow/61270363.cms
  3. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4323504/
  4. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/cinema-reviews/jazbaa-shockingly-sloppy/article7743625.ece
  5. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4323504/fullcredits/
  6. https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/aishwarya-irrfans-box-office-jazbaa-is-almost-in-double-digits-1230819
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