India’s Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios have partnered on a new slate of films, beginning with “Daayra,” a crime thriller starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran and directed by Meghna Gulzar.
The tie-up pairs Junglee’s development-focused, story-driven approach with Pen Studios’ production and theatrical distribution strength in the Indian market. “Daayra” is inspired by true events and centers on a crime and its aftermath, weighing guilt, punishment and moral accountability, and how far the boundaries of law and public expectations of justice diverge.
Junglee Pictures has backed titles including “Haq,” “Raazi,” “Badhaai Do,” “Badhaai Ho” and “Talvar.” Pen Studios has supported films such as “Gangubai Kathiawadi” and “RRR,” and has “Tumbbad 2” upcoming, alongside a track record of taking Indian films to audiences overseas.
Vineet Jain, managing director of the Times Group, which owns Junglee Pictures, said: “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. We’re truly looking forward to exploring the possibilities this collaboration unlocks for the future of Indian storytelling.”
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. We are excited to bring it to audiences and to build a long-term association with Junglee.”
The partnership arrives as Indian theatrical business gains momentum. Hindi cinema posted its biggest year yet in 2025, grossing $577 million at the box office, and original Hindi-language films made up 93% of Hindi box-office revenue. The first half of 2026 kept up that pace, with Indian theaters logging their best opening six months since the pandemic era began winding down and with Hindi films collecting $295 million.
Recent box-office cycles have also shown films across genres finding audiences, pointing to opportunities for projects built on narrative strength rather than scale or star power alone.
“Daayra” releases in theaters on Sept. 18.
Leave a Reply