Kareena Kapoor-starrer Daayra struggles at box office against Hanuman

Kareena Kapoor Khan's latest film Daayra has failed to gain traction at the box office, struggling against the strong performance of Hanuman, which continues to dominate screens across India. The drama, helmed by acclaimed director Meghna Gulzar, opened to modest collections in its initial days, signaling lukewarm audience reception in a competitive marketplace.

Daayra is set against the backdrop of a contentious police encounter case linked to a brutal rape-and-murder incident. The film marks another collaboration between Gulzar and Kapoor Khan following their successful partnership on earlier projects. The storyline explores complex themes around law enforcement and justice, though the subject matter appears not to have resonated strongly with multiplex audiences this weekend.

Hanuman, a religious thriller that released simultaneously, has emerged as the clear box office winner, capturing the majority of screen allocations and audience footfall. The film's performance has left limited room for Daayra to expand its theatrical footprint in the coming days. Industry analysts attribute the gap in collections to differing audience preferences and the broader appeal of the competing film.

The underperformance adds to recent challenges faced by content-driven dramas at Indian box offices, where mass entertainers and genre films continue to dominate opening weekends. Trade observers will closely monitor whether Daayra can stabilize collections in weekday shows or if it will face further pressure during its theatrical run.