Daayra Box Office Collection Day 1, Review: Kareena Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran Film Opens To Rs 0.30 Crore

Meghna Gulzar's crime thriller Daayra, featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead, has opened in theatres with early box-office numbers coming in on Friday, September 18. The film, which takes a serious look at crime, policing and the idea of justice, has started its theatrical run amid considerable interest around its lead cast and filmmaker.

Daayra Box Office Collection (Opening Day Numbers): Kareena Kapoor & Prithiviraj's Film Opens To Rs 0.30 crore

According to the latest live figures shown by Sacnilk, Daayra had collected around Rs 0.30 crore net in India on its opening day, with 1,346 shows listed. The film's Hindi shows recorded around 9% occupancy, while the Malayalam version registered around 7% occupancy. These are live figures and the final Day 1 collection is expected to change as more shows are reported.

Daayra Released in Hindi & Malayalam

The early figures indicate that the film is still building its theatrical audience on the first day. The film has been released primarily in Hindi, with a Malayalam version also being screened. Sacnilk's tracking shows the Hindi release accounting for the bulk of the reported shows and collections, while the Malayalam version has a smaller theatrical footprint.

Daayra Review: What Is It About? Check Film's Storyline

Daayra follows two senior police officers who approach the question of justice from very different positions. Kareena Kapoor Khan plays DCP Ajooni Kohli, an officer committed to following due process, while Prithviraj Sukumaran plays DCP Raman Kumar, whose approach is shaped by his belief that the existing system can fail victims.

The story begins with a serious crime that triggers public outrage and a police response that becomes a subject of investigation itself. Ajooni is brought in to examine what happened, while Raman's actions put him on the other side of the investigation.

Rather than functioning purely as a conventional police thriller, the film uses the case to explore the tension between legal procedure and the demand for immediate justice. The narrative also looks at institutional failures and the difficult questions that emerge when public anger collides with the rule of law.

Early reviews have largely recognised the film's ambition and the performances of its two leads, although there has been criticism over the way some of its central ideas are developed.

The film raises strong questions about justice and the system but does not always push those ideas far enough. The review particularly highlighted Kareena's controlled performance as Ajooni and Prithviraj's portrayal of Raman, while pointing to the relatively restrained handling of the film's central conflict.

Trade analyst Taran Adarsh's early reaction described the film as well-crafted and thought-provoking, while also suggesting that its serious subject, talk-heavy portions and treatment may appeal more strongly to a niche audience. His comments also point towards word of mouth playing an important role in the film's theatrical journey.

Kareena Kapoor And Prithviraj's Performances

The casting of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran is one of the film's major talking points. Kareena's Ajooni is presented as an officer who places faith in procedure and institutional accountability, while Prithviraj's Raman represents a far more forceful response to a system he believes has failed.

The contrast between the two characters gives the film its central dramatic tension. Rather than simply presenting one officer as right and the other as wrong, the story puts their opposing approaches to justice at the centre of the investigation.

Daayra Cast and Crew

The supporting cast includes Jitendra Joshi, Biswapati Sarkar, Kshitee Jog and Kanwaljit Singh. Critics have also noted Kshitee Jog's work as the mother of the crime victim.

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