Cinema VinesDirected by Meghna Gulzar, the crime‑thriller Daayra opened in theatres on Friday to a mix of positive reviews and modest box‑office numbers. The film follows Ajooni, played by Kareena Kapoor Khan, who leads a Special Investigation Team probing a police encounter that turned into a brutal gang‑rape and murder. The investigation, conducted by DCP Raman Kumar (Prithviraj Sukumaran) and his squad, reveals that the officers claimed to have fled during custody, but Ajooni’s findings form the crux of the narrative.
On its first day, Daayra collected ₹1 crore in India, a figure that held steady over the weekend. Saturday and Sunday each brought in ₹1.75 crore, bringing the total gross to ₹5.40 crore and the net to ₹4.50 crore. The film has thus steadied at around ₹4 crore net, earning a respectable return for a limited release.
Kareena Kapoor Khan highlighted the contrast between her role in Daayra and her work in Rohit Shetty’s larger‑than‑life cop universe. “Every director operates in a different universe,” she told ANI. “Rohit Shetty’s cop world is larger‑than‑life, while Meghna’s is grounded, realistic, and complex. As an actor, I feel fortunate to straddle both worlds comfortably.”
The Hindustan Times review noted that while Kareena brings a distinct screen presence to Ajooni, some lighter moments feel slightly at odds with the gravity of the investigation. The reviewer also mused on the character’s name, suggesting a possible deeper symbolism that the film does not explicitly explain.
Senior Content Producer Santanu Das of the Hindustan Times, who has covered Indian independent cinema and major festivals, provided context on the film’s thematic depth. Though the review does not detail his analysis, his background indicates a keen interest in the nuanced storytelling presented in Daayra.
