Mumbai, September 19, 2026 – The crime thriller Daayra, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, began its theatrical run across India on September 18, 2026.
Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the film marks the first on-screen collaboration between Kareena Kapoor Khan and the Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran. Both actors play senior police officers — Kareena as DCP Ajooni Kohli IPS and Prithviraj as DCP Raman Kumar IPS — whose differing approaches to a controversial investigation place them on opposing sides.
Plot and Themes
Inspired by true events, Daayra (which translates to “Circle”) is a gripping investigative thriller that explores how a diabolical crime can trigger polarising reactions across society. The narrative examines questions of justice, law, moral conflict and the thin line between procedure and expediency.
The film has been written by Yash Keswani, Sima Agarwal and Meghna Gulzar. It is produced by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios and distributed by Pen Marudhar. Supporting cast includes Jitendra Joshi, Kanwaljit Singh, Achint Kaur and others. Music is by Amit Trivedi (songs) with score by Ketan Sodha. The runtime is approximately 143 minutes, and the film has received an ‘A’ (Adults Only) certificate from the CBFC.
Early Response
Daayra opened to a muted box-office response on its first day, with estimates placing the India nett collection in the range of ₹0.90–1.15 crore. Occupancy remained modest across shows. The film is also available in a Malayalam version.
Critical reception has been mixed to positive. Reviewers have praised the performances — particularly Prithviraj Sukumaran’s controlled turn — and Meghna Gulzar’s willingness to engage with complex moral questions. Some critics noted that the film’s pacing and dramatic urgency could have been sharper.
Daayra continues Meghna Gulzar’s association with Junglee Pictures, following earlier collaborations on Talvar and Raazi. Audiences interested in thoughtful, issue-driven cinema are expected to drive its weekend performance.