Kareena Kapoor is taking on a police officer unlike many of the female cops audiences have seen in Indian cinema. In Meghna Gulzar’s upcoming film Daayra, she plays DCP Ajooni, a character the actor says deliberately moves away from the familiar image of a tough, masculine female police officer.
Speaking at a promotional event in Delhi, Kareena explained that Ajooni remains feminine while also being firm, disciplined and uncompromising in her work.
The actor also revealed that the morally complicated world of Daayra made the role particularly challenging for her because the film does not divide its characters and choices into simple categories of right and wrong.
Kareena Kapoor on Breaking the Female Cop Stereotype
According to Kareena, Indian films have often relied on a recognisable visual template when portraying women in police roles.
She described the stereotypical female cop as someone who is portrayed as butch, slightly masculine, gun-toting and action-oriented, including through her walk and body language.
Daayra, she said, takes a different approach.
Meghna Gulzar wanted Ajooni to be a woman who is openly feminine but can still command authority, maintain discipline and handle difficult situations.
‘She Puts on Lipstick’ and Still Remains Stern
Kareena highlighted the contrast at the heart of Ajooni’s character.
She explained that the police officer is not required to abandon traditionally feminine elements of her appearance to establish her strength. Ajooni can wear lipstick, remain feminine and still be stern.
For Kareena, that distinction is important because it separates strength from a stereotypically masculine appearance.
The character’s authority comes through her conduct and decisions rather than simply through physical aggression or a hardened exterior.
Who Is DCP Ajooni in ‘Daayra’?
In Daayra, Kareena plays DCP Ajooni, one of two police officers at the centre of the story.
The film also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran, who plays Raman, the other leading character.
The two characters are reportedly at odds over a fundamental question: how criminals should be punished.
That conflict forms the moral foundation of the film and places Ajooni in a situation where there are no straightforward answers.
Kareena Says the Role Was Difficult to Play
Kareena admitted that remaining consistent with Ajooni’s personality was challenging.
She explained that the character is caught in a continuing conflict, and the moral uncertainty of the story made it difficult to approach every situation from a simple perspective.
The actor also suggested that the complexity would have been challenging during the writing and directing process, not just during performance.
‘In the Film, It Is Grey’
Kareena described herself as someone who prefers to see life in relatively straightforward terms.
She said she likes to believe that things can be divided into black and white, but that Daayra operates in a much more complicated moral space.
“In the film, it is grey,” she said while discussing the challenge of playing Ajooni.
That moral ambiguity appears to be one of the central features of the film’s story.
Kareena Is Looking for Different Characters
The actor also spoke about the choices she wants to make at this stage of her career.
Kareena said she has always wanted to explore different characters and remains primarily interested in acting.
Rather than moving into producing or directing, she said she wants to continue searching for interesting scripts and roles that challenge her as a performer.
For her, the attraction lies in discovering characters she has not played before and finding new ways to approach them.
Kareena Wants to Focus on Acting
Kareena also clarified that she does not currently have plans to move behind the camera.
She said she enjoys acting and does not have the same interest in other filmmaking responsibilities such as producing or directing.
Her focus, therefore, remains on finding projects that offer her something fresh as an actor.
That approach fits with her description of Ajooni, a role that requires her to balance authority, femininity and moral uncertainty.
Meghna Gulzar Directs ‘Daayra’
Daayra is written and directed by Meghna Gulzar, according to the supplied information.
The film is being produced by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios.
Its central premise revolves around two police officers who have differing views on the appropriate way to deal with criminals, creating a conflict between competing ideas of justice and punishment.
The film’s dramatic tension appears to emerge from that disagreement rather than from a conventional hero-versus-villain setup.
‘Daayra’ Release Date
According to the supplied report, Daayra is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 18.
The film marks Kareena Kapoor’s return to the big screen following a two-year gap.
Her previous release was 2024’s Singham Again.
No Songs in ‘Daayra’
Another unusual feature of the film is its reported lack of songs.
Lyricist Gulzar, Meghna Gulzar’s father, had earlier confirmed that Daayra would not feature songs, according to the supplied report.
The decision further positions the project as a drama centred primarily on its characters, subject matter and conflict.
Kareena Kapoor’s Ajooni Is Not a Conventional Film Cop
Kareena Kapoor’s description of Ajooni suggests that Daayra is attempting to present a female police officer without relying on the familiar visual shorthand of masculinity, aggression and action-heavy styling.
Ajooni can be feminine, wear lipstick and still exercise authority. At the same time, the film places her inside a morally complicated conflict that Kareena says pushed her outside the simpler black-and-white view she usually associates with life.
With Meghna Gulzar directing and Prithviraj Sukumaran sharing the lead, Daayra is positioned as a character-driven drama built around competing ideas of justice.
