Bijou Thaangjam Jigra Controversy: Manipuri actor Bijou Thaangjam came on the receiving end of backlash from Alia Bhatt’s fans after the actor slammed makers of Jigra for “unprofessional behaviour.” In a social media post, the actor shared that he was locked to play a role in Vasan Bala and Alia Bhatt’s Jigra, but was left unanswered for months. As a result, he lost several projects that came his way. After his X post went viral, several fans of Alia targeted him with racist and discriminatory remarks.
The actor now talks to NEWS24 exclusively about the repercussions of taking a bold step and speaking against such big productions houses. When asked if he fears losing work as a result, he tells us, “If I really cared about that, I would have never spoken against them. I can’t sell my self-respect in the fear of losing work. I can’t work where I am disrespected. Even on the sets, the AD or the tertiary cast is acknowledged and referred to as sir or madam. But when it comes to us, they are like ‘areyy chotu, aajaa na’. So if that’s how they will treat us, I don’t mind losing that job.’”
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. #Jigra #JigraMovie #AliaBhatt #DivyaKhosla #VasanBala pic.twitter.com/zZBZjxOz6k
— Bijou ThaangJam (@BijouThaangjam) October 13, 2024
Bijou specifies it’s not about one particular film. That’s the general behaviour of industry people with North-eastern actors. “When it comes down to casting, we are always given the impression that it’s a favour…as if koi meharbaani ho hume cast karke. Most casting agencies do not even know the way of approaching actors from North-East. Often, terms like ‘Chinese-looking actor’, ‘Nepali-looking actor’ are used for us, which is very derogatory,” he shares, adding, “The level of discrimination on the sets in unimaginable. Any Tom, Dick and Harry can enter the studio but when it comes to us, we have to prove that we are part of the project even to the security guard. This is disrespectful. We are the lowest of the lowest people in their eyes and in the treatment we get.”
About the Jigra Controversy!
As far as the Jigra controversy is concerned, Bijou clarifies that there was no intention to defame anyone. “Honestly, I did not even know that my post would go viral. I was not seeking attention. I had no agenda of degrading a particular film, production house or director. All I did was share my experience and everyone noticed it.” Bijou says he has huge respect for Vasan Bala as well as Alia Bhatt, and that’s the reason he wanted to work with them. “I just thought it was unprofessional behaviour on part of the team and that’s what I mentioned in my social media post too.”
When asked why he did not speak about the issue earlier when the incident happened, the actor shares that he did not want to create any negativity around the film. “It’s a proud moment for me because a fellow Manipuri guy Debashish Irengbam, who is the writer of Jigra, has made it so big with his first film. I did not want to say anything that would bring negativity to the film. I have to look out for my roots. So I was letting it go. But after the Jigra incident, something happened, which made me speak about this issue,” he reveals.
The irony: I speak up about discrimination & get flooded with racist remarks. Some things never change, huh? I’m as Indian as you, maybe more. To the Alia Bhatt fans, get a life. Ur comments show how small u are. Grateful for all the love & support. #JaiHind #Jigra #JigraMovie pic.twitter.com/BFmRharfd8
— Bijou ThaangJam (@BijouThaangjam) October 15, 2024
When asked about the details, he goes on to talk about a project he signed after Jigra and the treatment he got on the set. “It was shocking. I have not faced this level of discrimination in my career ever, not even during the initial years. One of the producers threated me to blacklist my name from the industry. He did that because I raised my voice against the treatment given to me and the fake promises made to me.” However, Bijou fought back for his rights and the team agreed to land on common grounds, though “not in a very healthy way”.
Bijou shares that’s when he felt the need to become vocal. “I thought if I am not vocal now, things won’t change. All I am asking for is respect. Every North-eastern actors wants respect. That’s all.”
After he openly spoke about it, the actor has been flooded with messages from other North-eastern actors. “After the incident, I have been getting messages from North-eastern actors as well as many others from small towns showing support. They are telling me how they are mistreated, how they have been cast and replaced last minute. There is a lot of injustice happening,” he wraps up.
