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Daayra

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Daayra
Theatrical release poster
Directed byMeghna Gulzar
Written byMeghna Gulzar
Sima Agarwal
Yash Keswani
Produced byVineet Jain
Dhaval Gada
Starring
CinematographySaurabh Goswami
Edited byCharu Shree Roy
Meghna Gulzar
Music bySongs:
Amit Trivedi
Score:
Ketan Sodha
Production
companies
Distributed byPen Marudhar
Release date
  • 18 September 2026 (2026-09-18)
Running time
143 minutes[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budgetest. ₹50–55 crore[a]
Box officeest. ₹8.36 crore[5]

Daayra (transl. Circle) is a 2026 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller film co-written and directed by Meghna Gulzar. It was produced by Vineet Jain and Dhaval Jain under banner of Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios. Inspired by a true event, the film stars Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran in leading roles. Besides Kapoor and Sukumaran, it also cast Kanwaljit Singh, Achint Kaur, Anuja Sathe, Seema Azmi, Biswapati Sarkar, Jitendra Joshi, and Upendra Chauhan.

Gulzar penned the lyrics, while Amit Trivedi composed the music and Ketan Sodha composed the background score. Saurabh Goswami served as the cinematographer, and Taran Bajaj was the casting director. Director Gulzar herself was the editor along with Charu Shree Roy.

Daayra was theatrically released on 18 September 2026, receiving positive reviews from critics.[6] The film, however, marked the lowest opening in Kapoor's filmography.[7] It emerged as a box-office bomb.[8]

Premise

Plot summary as on CBFC website:

"A police encounter following the brutal rape and murder of a young woman turns an ACP into a national hero but raises troubling questions about justice and the rule of law. When a determined female IPS officer is assigned to investigate, she uncovers inconsistencies that challenge the official narrative."[9]

Cast

  • Kareena Kapoor as DCP Ajooni Kohli IPS
  • Prithviraj Sukumaran as DCP Raman Kumar IPS
  • Pragati Mishra as Ragini Pujari
  • Prammod Sanghi as Abhinandan Basu
  • Sumali Khaniwale as NGO Head
  • Upendra Chauhan as Inspector Bishal Mishra
  • Man Singh Karamati as Jacob Mechanic
  • Md Ashanual Haque as SI Karthik Antony
  • Aarti Desai as Padma
  • Satish Badal as Yusuf
  • Sumit Raina as Police Inspector
  • Inzmam as Chhotu
  • Ashutosh Kumar Gupta as Bablu Chaubey
  • Jitendra Joshi as Inspectoor Karad
  • Kanwaljit Singh as Ajooni's father
  • Kshitee Jog as Parvati Pujari, Ragini's mother
  • Bhavesh Babbani as Kabir, Ragini's brother
  • Trupti Khamkar as SI Jyoti
  • Biswapati Sarkar as Commissioner Anand
  • Sandesh Kulkarni as Head Constable Vasu
  • Ujjwal Chopra as JCP Abhinav Rao
  • Brijbhushan Shukla as Bala
  • Ajit Singh as Inspector Shekhar
  • Ipshita Chakraborty Singh as Inspector Aarti
  • Manoj Sharma as Constable Prasad
  • Ram Diwakar as Raju
  • Aditya Kumar as Mastan
  • Abdul Mani as Mani
  • Achint Kaur as Gomti Thakur
  • Seema Azmi SP Indira Pandey
  • Anuja Sathe as Raman's wife

Production

Development

In 2020 during the COVID-19 lockdown in India, Meghna Gulzar was approached by Junglee Pictures to make Daayra, at that time she had already made her mind to direct Sam Bahadur (2023) next. She thought the subject would be always relevant, stating that the film tries to "explore the greys because everything is not black and white. What may be justice for you may be injustice for me, [...]".[10][11]

Several news sources reported that the film is based on 2019 Hyderabad case.[12][13] But Meghna Gulzar said that the "film does not draw its perspective from just one incident, instead the team looked at several cases while developing the story."[14][15]

Casting

In April 2025, it was announced that Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran would star in the crime thriller.[16][17] Ayushmann Khurrana and later Sidharth Malhotra had previously been considered for the male lead, but both subsequently left the project due to scheduling conflicts.[18][19]

Filming

Principal photography began on 25 September 2025.[20] Filming concluded on 26 December 2025.[21]

Marketing

A trailer of the film was unveiled on 31 August 2026.[22][23] On 15 September, a promotion trailer was released on YouTube.[24]

Soundtrack

Initially, Gulzar revealed that the film would feature no songs, as she felt that the screenplay did not provide scope for musical sequences.[25] Her father, lyricist Gulzar stated that she believed songs would disrupt the narrative flow and instead chose to retain the story's established tone.[26] However, a song titled “Sach Ka Daayra” was released on 11 September 2026,[27] written by Gulzar, composed by Amit Trivedi and sung by B Praak.[28][29]

Track listing
No.TitleLyricsMusicSinger(s)Length
1."Sach Ka Daayra"GulzarAmit TrivediB Praak2:14
Total length:2:14

Release

Theatrical

The film received an A certificate from the CBFC, along with a finalised runtime of 143 minutes.[1] There was no visual cut and the violent scenes remain untouched expect a small modification in a dialogue by Khan.[30]

A special screening premiered in Mumbai and Delhi on 17 September in presence of makers and former Chief Justice of India B. R. Gavai attended the Mumbai premier.[31][32]

The film was theatrically released in Hindi and Malayalam on 18 September 2026, clashing with her brother-in-law Kunal Khemu's Vibe.[33][34] Parvathy Thiruvothu lent her voice to Kareena Kapoor Khan's character for the Malayalam version of the film.[35][36]

Home media

The film began streaming on Netflix from 13 November 2026.[37]

Reception

Box office

Daayra grossed ₹8.36 crore (US$890,000) worldwide. It grossed ₹6.54 crore (US$700,000) in India and ₹1.82 crore (US$190,000) in overseas market.[5]

On its opening day, the film earned ₹0.94 crore net at the domestic box office.[5] It earned ₹3.74 crore (US$400,000) net at India box office in the opening weekend.[38]

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 74% of 19 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.6/10.[39]

Subhash K Jha for The Tribune noted "Daayra gets it right most of the time. It deals with a complex moral issue with scrupulosity and sensibleness. There is no room for humbug in the narration."[40] Rishabh Suri of Hindustan Times rated the movie 3/5 stars and stated "By the time the end credits roll, you are left with a film that has substance and clearly wants to provoke thought, but could have used a little more fire to truly leave a mark."[41] Aishani Biswas for Outlook stated "Much of the film has a grim, slightly worn texture, which helps the investigation feel rooted in an actual working system. But Gulzar occasionally seems unwilling to trust the material."[42] Komal Nahta for Film Information stated "It is a well-made film but one with more class appeal than universal appeal. It will win more critical acclaim than box-office rewards."[43] Reviewing for The Hindu, Anuj Kumar wrote "As for the craft, the tight first hour moves with the clinical efficiency to build an airtight case for its ideological conflict. However, the editorial pacing stumbles in the second half, making the climax feel more like an over-deliberated deposition."[44]

Manjusha Radhakrishnan of Gulf News stated "The film's structure, told through two competing perspectives, one convinced the encounter was justice, one convinced it was murder dressed up as justice, is Daayra's smartest idea."[45] Pranati A S of Deccan Herald observed "From the very beginning, the audience very clearly knows which side they are on, so Meghna does not really delve into what is right or wrong."[46] Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV felt that "post-interval chase sequences" are "heightened by hyperactive camerawork". He further added, "As the first two events play out and the follow-up unfolds, the film seeks to put in perspective the vulnerability of women in public spaces and the apathy of law enforcement agencies with direct allusions to the Delhi Nirbhaya gangrape case."[47] Sukanya Verma of Rediff.com stead that Khan had a "tougher role" and noted "Unlike Gulzar's Talvar, to which Daayra's police-procedural comes closest to in soul, Raman and Ajooni remain emotionally aloof. Whatever objective Ajooni's forced subplot concerning her dad's judiciary woes is meant to achieve only winds up as a flimsy argument between its leads."[48] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare concluded his review as "It is a hard-hitting, earthy crime drama that understands that the most disturbing part of a terrible crime may not be the crime itself, but what society chooses to do in its aftermath."[49]

Notes

  1. ↑ Cinema Express reported the budget as ₹50 crore.[2] Asianet News and The Free Press Journal reported the budget as ₹55 crore.[3][4]

References

  1. 1 2 Seta, Fenil. "BREAKING: Daayra marks Kareena Kapoor Khan's TENTH film to receive 'A' rating from CBFC; Kunal Kemmu's Vibe also gets adult certificate". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 12 September 2026.
  2. ↑ "Daayra box office: Kareena Kapoor's second lowest opening film in 22 years". Cinema Express. 19 September 2026. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  3. ↑ Tiwari, Nancy (21 September 2026). "Daayra Box Office Collection Day 3: Kareena Kapoor-Prithviraj Film Sees No Sunday Growth, Earns Rs 4.50 Crore". newsable.asianetnews.com. India: Asianet (TV channel). Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  4. ↑ Fernandes, Shefali (20 September 2026). "Daayra Box Office Collection Day 2: Kareena Kapoor Khan And Prithviraj Sukumaran's Crime Thriller Shows 60% Jump, Collects ₹1.60 Crore". The Free Press Journal. Retrieved 21 September 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 "Box Office Collection". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 18 September 2026.
  6. ↑ Raghav, Vanshika (19 September 2026). "Daayra box office collection: Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran's crime thriller earns THIS much on day 1". WION. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  7. ↑ "Daayra box office collection Day 1: Kareena Kapoor's lowest ever opener earns Rs 90 lakh". The Indian Express. 19 September 2026. Retrieved 20 September 2026.
  8. ↑ "The Vvaan Does Well At Box Office". rediff.com. India: Rediff.com. 28 September 2026. Retrieved 5 October 2026. After three consecutive box office disappointments in the form of Haiwaan, Daayra and Vibe, Bollywood has finally some reason to cheer.
  9. ↑ "Daayra". Central Board of Film Certification. 11 September 2026.
  10. ↑ Panchamatia, Komal. "'What May Be Justice For You May Be Injustice For Me'". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2026-09-04.
  11. ↑ "Knew that the story of 'Daayra' will always be relevant, says Meghna Gulzar". Hindustan Times. 2026-09-02. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
  12. ↑ Jha, Subhash K (2026-08-31). "'Daayra' Inspired by 2019 Hyderabad Rape-Murder". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  13. ↑ Narain, Yatamanyu (2026-08-31). "Kareena Kapoor's Daayra Based On Hyderabad Rape-Murder Case? Meghna Gulzar Says 'We Looked At Many Cases'". News18. Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  14. ↑ Fernandes, Shefali (2026-08-31). "Is Kareena Kapoor Khan's Daayra Inspired By 2019 Hyderabad Rape-Murder Case? Meghna Gulzar Says Film Draws From 'Many Cases'". The Free Press Journal. Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  15. ↑ Cyril, Grace (2026-08-31). "Daayra Explained: Is Kareena Kapoor-Prithviraj Sukumaran's Film Based On The 2019 Hyderabad Rape-Murder Case?". News18. Archived from the original on 2026-08-31. Retrieved 2026-09-05.
  16. ↑ Basu, Sreetama (11 May 2024). "Kareena Kapoor's Next Untitled Film With Meghna Gulzar Gets Prithviraj Sukumaran On Board". NDTV. Archived from the original on 11 May 2025. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  17. ↑
  18. ↑ Agarwal, Bhavna (11 April 2024). "Exclusive: Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran teams up with Kareena in Meghna Gulzar's next". India Today. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  19. ↑ "Kareena Kapoor Khan – Ayushmann Khurrana in talks for Meghna Gulzar's next Daayra inspired from 2019 Hyderabad rape case: Report". Bollywood Hungama. 17 June 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  20. ↑ Khan, Lubna (25 September 2025). "Daayra: Kareena Kapoor Begins Filming With Prithviraj And Meghna Gulzar, Shares BTS Glimpses". News18. Retrieved 1 August 2026.
  21. ↑ "Daayra movie: Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj wrap shooting for Meghna Gulzar's crime-drama". The Hindu. 26 December 2025. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 29 August 2026.
  22. ↑ Maru, Vibha (2026-08-31). "Daayra trailer: Kareena Kapoor probes Prithviraj's encounter killings as Meghna Gulzar explores law vs justice". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2026-08-31.
  23. ↑ Radhakrishnan, Manjusha (2026-08-31). "Daayra trailer review: Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran play conflicted cops in Meghna Gulzar's thriller". Gulf News. Retrieved 2026-09-22.
  24. ↑ "Daayra Promo | 18 Sep In Cinemas | Meghna Gulzar | Kareena Kapoor Khan | Prithviraj Sukumaran". Bollywood Hungama. 2026-09-15. Retrieved 2026-09-16.
  25. ↑ Seta, Fenil (2026-02-21). "Gulzar reveals that Kareena Kapoor Khan-Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer Daayra will be a SONG-LESS flick: "Meghna said that her script doesn't allow for any songs"". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  26. ↑ Tanmayi, Bhawana (2026-02-11). "Meghna Gulzar reveals there are no songs in Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor's Daayra". Moneycontrol. Archived from the original on 2026-02-22. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
  27. ↑ Nirmal, Gayatri (2026-09-11). "Prithviraj recalls arguments with Meghna Gulzar on Daayra set: 'She won every argument'". The Indian Express. Retrieved 2026-09-14.
  28. ↑ "Sach Ka Daayra From Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran's Daayra Is Out Now | Filmfare.com". Filmfare. Retrieved 2026-09-14.
  29. ↑ Verma, Sakshi (2026-09-10). "Sach Ka Daayra song out now; brings Gulzar's lyrics, Amit Trivedi's music and B Praak's voice together | Watch". India TV. Retrieved 2026-09-14.
  30. ↑ Seta, Fenil (2026-09-14). "EXCLUSIVE: NO visual cuts in Kareena Kapoor Khan-starrer Daayra; CBFC replaces just one word with 'Minister'". Bollywood Hungama. Retrieved 2026-09-16.
  31. ↑ Sarkar, Arpita (2026-09-16). "Daayra Special Screening: 7 Best Moments Ft Kareena Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Meghna Gulzar". Times Now. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
  32. ↑ Savadi, Tanmayi (2026-09-17). "Daayra Delhi Screening: Times Group MD Vineet Jain Praising Meghna To Kareena's Casting - Top Highlights". Times Now. Retrieved 2026-09-17.
  33. ↑
  34. ↑ Das, Garima (1 September 2026). "Kareena Kapoor Reacts To Daayra Vs Vibe Box Office Clash: 'I Will Be Very Happy If Both Films Do Well'". Outlook India. Retrieved 4 September 2026.
  35. ↑ Wadhwa, Aman (2026-09-02). "Daayra: This actress has dubbed for Kareena Kapoor Khan in Malayalam version; not Kalyani Priyadarshan, Mamitha Baiju, Nimisha Sajayan". DNA India. Retrieved 2026-09-24.
  36. ↑ James, Amanda V. (2026-09-23). "Parvathy Thiruvothu on 'Pradhama Drishtiya Kuttakkar' and Kerala Audiences: 'May Like Me or Not, But They Still Make My Film Succeed...'". The Hollywood Reporter India. Retrieved 2026-09-24.
  37. ↑ "Daayra OTT release: Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaaran film to arrive on Netflix in Hindi and Malayalam". Hindustan Times. 12 November 2026. Retrieved 14 November 2026.
  38. ↑ "Daayra Box Office: Film collects Rs. 3.77 cr on opening weekend". bollywoodhungama.com. India: Bollywood Hungama. 21 September 2026. Retrieved 23 September 2026.
  39. ↑ "Daayra". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 19 September 2026.
  40. ↑ K Jha, Subhash (2026-09-17). "'Daayra' is hard-hitting, unsparing". The Tribune. Retrieved 2026-09-18.StarStarStarStar
  41. ↑ Suri, Rishabh (2026-09-17). "Daayra review: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Prithviraj Sukumaran shine in a morally complex drama". Hindustan Times. Retrieved 2026-09-17.StarStarStar
  42. ↑ Biswas, Aishani (2026-09-18). "Daayra Review: Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran Face a Fractured Justice System". Outlook. Retrieved 2026-09-18.StarStarStar
  43. ↑ Nahta, Komal (2026-09-18). "'DAAYRA' REVIEW | 18 September, 2026". Film Information. Retrieved 2026-09-22.
  44. ↑ Kumar, Anuj (2026-09-18). "'Daayra' movie review: Meghna Gulzar challenges the circle of public conscience". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2026-09-18.
  45. ↑ Radhakrishnan, Manjusha (2026-09-18). "Daayra review: A cop thriller led by Prithviraj and Kareena Kapoor Khan that asks if killing a rapist is ever justice". Gulf News. Retrieved 2026-09-18.StarStarStar
  46. ↑ A S, Pranati (2026-09-19). "'Daayra' movie review: Myriad realities within a single daayra". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 2026-09-22.StarStarStarHalf star
  47. ↑ Chatterjee, Saibal (2026-09-18). "Daayra Review: Meghna Gulzar's Film Sees Kareena Kapoor And Prithviraj Sukumaran At Top Of Their Game". NDTV. Retrieved 2026-09-18.StarStarStarHalf star
  48. ↑ Verma, Sukanya (2026-09-18). "Daayra Review: Potent Kareena, Prithviraj". Rediff.com. Retrieved 2026-09-18.StarStarStar
  49. ↑ Sharma, Devesh (2026-09-17). "Daayra Movie Review: Gritty and Compelling | Filmfare.com". Filmfare. Retrieved 2026-09-18.StarStarStarStarHalf star
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