Acclaimed filmmaker Meghna Gulzar’s hard-hitting investigative crime drama Dayraheadlined by Kareena Kapoor Khan and Malayalam cinema powerhouse Prithviraj Sukumaran, is officially gearing up for its digital premiere. Exactly two months after arriving in cinemas nationwide, the thought-provoking thriller will begin streaming exclusively on Netflix starting Friday, November 13, 2026. Following in the footsteps of her critically praised, de-glamorized performances in Jaane Jaane and The Buckingham MurdersKareena Kapoor Khan steps into the uniform of a principled police officer, DCP Ajooni Kohli, in a narrative that examines the moral fault lines of instant justice versus due legal process.
While Dayra struggled to draw mass footfalls during its theatrical run in September, the film earned strong praise from film critics and discerning cinephiles—currently holding a respectable 7.1 rating on IMDb. With streaming audiences across Mumbai, New Delhi, Lucknow, Kanpur, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad increasingly gravitating toward layered, realistic crime dramas at home, Netflix’s weekend drop is poised to give Dayra a major second life on digital screens.
Box Office Setback vs. Critical Acclaim: How ‘Daayra’ Fared in Cinemas
Backed by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios, Dayra hit Indian theatres on September 18, 2026carrying high expectations given Meghna Gulzar’s celebrated track record with true-crime and real-life dramas such as Shed, Raziand Sam Bahadur. However, despite commanding performances and taut direction, the somber subject matter failed to ignite commercial fireworks at the ticket window, registering one of the lowest opening collections of Kareena Kapoor Khan’s career and finishing its theatrical run as a commercial underperformer.
Yet box-office numbers told only half the story. Reviewers across major national publications lauded the screenplay’s restraint, realistic police procedural detailing, and the electric dramatic tension between Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Audiences who skipped the film in multiplexes have since been eagerly awaiting its streaming arrival, making November 13 one of the most anticipated Hindi OTT premieres of the month.
Inside the Story of ‘Daayra’: Instant Retribution Meets Constitutional Law
Inspired by real-life events that sparked fierce nationwide debate across India, Dayra opens in the aftermath of the brutal sexual assault and murder of a young female doctor—a crime that triggers public outrage and intense political pressure on law enforcement. Taking charge of the case, Deputy Commissioner of Police Raman Kumar (played with steely intensity by Prithviraj Sukumaran) eliminates all four prime suspects in a controversial police encounter, earning instant applause from an angry public demanding swift retribution.
However, the narrative takes a gripping investigative turn when DCP Ajooni Kohli (Kareena Kapoor Khan) enters the picture to examine the circumstances surrounding the encounter and the broader legal fallout. What unfolds is an ideological clash between two senior officers representing fundamentally opposing philosophies of justice: one driven by immediate, extra-judicial closure, and the other committed to constitutional accountability, evidence, and the rule of law. Co-starring talented supporting actors in pivotal institutional roles, Dayra avoids easy melodrama, instead inviting viewers to wrestle with uncomfortable questions about policing, public emotion, and systemic integrity.
When and Where to Stream ‘Daayra’ Online
Viewers holding an active Netflix subscription can stream Dayra starting November 13, 2026in high definition alongside regional audio and subtitle options. Whether you missed the film during its September theatrical window or appreciate grounded, performance-driven investigative thrillers, Meghna Gulzar’s Dayra offers compelling weekend viewing anchored by two of Indian cinema’s most versatile leads.