As the September 18, 2026, theatrical premiere of Meghna Gulzar’s upcoming thriller *Daayra* approaches, industry analysts are voicing apprehension regarding its commercial prospects. The movie, which anchors its primary cast around Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan, recently debuted its promotional trailer to a favorable reception for its suspenseful tone. However, sources report a distinct lack of public awareness surrounding the project, leaving experts worried as the release window narrows.
Observers and social media commentators have heavily criticized the promotional rollout, noting that awareness campaigns only began shortly before the trailer's launch. Furthermore, netizens pointed out that the promotional footage leaves viewers uncertain whether the plot follows a single investigation or multiple cases. Despite securing an Adults Only certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), critics argue that this rating alone will not drive ticket sales. Although the project is tailored for metropolitan multiplex crowds, industry insiders fear it will struggle to attract those demographic segments due to the near-total absence of pre-release hype.
Consequently, early box office projections remain modest. While some trade forecasters estimate an opening day collection between Rs. 4 and 5 crores, others anticipate a lower start of around Rs. 2 crores. The cinematic climate adds further pressure, as recent titles like *Haiwaan* have faltered amidst heavy competition from major draws like *Hanuman Ansh* and *Mirzapur: The Movie*. Even so, trade analysts remain hopeful that a strong positive word-of-mouth response could help the feature gradually gain momentum at the box office, mirroring the trajectory of past releases.
At a glance
- As the September 18, 2026, theatrical premiere of Meghna Gulzar’s upcoming thriller *Daayra* approaches, industry analysts are voicing apprehension regarding its commercial prospects.
- The movie, which anchors its primary cast around Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan, recently debuted its promotional trailer to a favorable reception for its suspenseful tone.
- However, sources report a distinct lack of public awareness surrounding the project, leaving experts worried as the release window narrows.
The update
As the September 18, 2026, theatrical premiere of Meghna Gulzar’s upcoming thriller *Daayra* approaches, industry analysts are voicing apprehension regarding its commercial prospects. The movie, which anchors its primary cast around Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan, recently debuted its promotional trailer to a favorable reception for its suspenseful tone. However, sources report a distinct lack of public awareness surrounding the project, leaving experts worried as the release window narrows.
Observers and social media commentators have heavily criticized the promotional rollout, noting that awareness campaigns only began shortly before the trailer's launch. Furthermore, netizens pointed out that the promotional footage leaves viewers uncertain whether the plot follows a single investigation or multiple cases. Despite securing an Adults Only certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), critics argue that this rating alone will not drive ticket sales. Although the project is tailored for metropolitan multiplex crowds, industry insiders fear it will struggle to attract those demographic segments due to the near-total absence of pre-release hype.
Consequently, early box office projections remain modest. While some trade forecasters estimate an opening day collection between Rs. 4 and 5 crores, others anticipate a lower start of around Rs. 2 crores. The cinematic climate adds further pressure, as recent titles like *Haiwaan* have faltered amidst heavy competition from major draws like *Hanuman Ansh* and *Mirzapur: The Movie*. Even so, trade analysts remain hopeful that a strong positive word-of-mouth response could help the feature gradually gain momentum at the box office, mirroring the trajectory of past releases.
Source note: This page is an original summary of public coverage and discussion. It does not reproduce the source article.
Source: M9.news
