India’s Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios have formed a partnership, launching with the crime thriller “Daayra,” starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film, directed by Meghna Gulzar, is inspired by true events and explores themes of guilt, punishment, and justice.
The collaboration combines Junglee Pictures’ story-driven development approach with Pen Studios’ production and distribution capabilities. Vineet Jain, managing director of the Times Group (which owns Junglee Pictures), stated, “What better way to begin this association with Pen Studios than with the gripping crime drama ‘Daayra,’ helmed by Meghna Gulzar? Collaborating with Meghna is always creatively rewarding. Our work together on ‘Raazi’ and ‘Talvar’ reflects our shared commitment to strong, story-first cinema. Joining forces with Jayantibhai and Pen Studios, whose nuanced understanding of the Indian audience is unparalleled, adds a dynamic layer to our broader vision.”
“Daayra” centers on a crime and its aftermath, examining the divergence between legal boundaries and public expectations of justice. Junglee Pictures’ previous work includes films like “Haq,” “Raazi,” “Badhaai Do,” “Badhaai Ho,” and “Talvar.” Pen Studios has supported titles such as “Gangubai Kathiawadi” and “RRR,” and has “Tumbbad 2” in development.
Jayantilal Gada, chair and managing director of Pen Studios, added, “The combination of Junglee’s creative prowess and our robust distribution network creates a truly powerful team. ‘Daayra’ is a terrific film to begin with. Meghna Gulzar has a very distinctive voice and an ability to approach difficult subjects with both restraint and intensity. With Kareena and Prithviraj leading the cast, this is the kind of theatrical film that can create both curiosity and conversation.” The partnership comes as the Indian theatrical market gains momentum, with Hindi cinema grossing $577 million in 2025 and original Hindi-language films accounting for 93% of Hindi box-office revenue. The first half of 2026 saw Indian theaters collect $295 million.
“Daayra” is scheduled for theatrical release on September 18.
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