Meghna Gulzar on 'Daayra': Why Kareena Kapoor's film needed real characters
Synopsis
For Meghna Gulzar's 'Daayra', glamour took a back seat to psychology. With 75 speaking roles cast from NSD, FTII, and theatre groups across six states — and even single-line actors put through rigorous auditions — this Kareena Kapoor Khan-starrer is shaping up as one of Bollywood's most meticulously assembled ensembles of the year.
Key Takeaways
Meghna Gulzar says authenticity was the central creative brief for 'Daayra' , starring Kareena Kapoor Khan .
Casting director Taran Bajaj and team cast 75 speaking roles , each approached through Gulzar's creative lens.
Around 90 theatre actors , including NSD and FTII alumni, were reportedly considered before the final cast was locked.
The ensemble draws talent from Maharashtra , UP , Bihar , Delhi , Kerala , and MP — a true pan-India cast.
Even actors with a single line were required to audition; a 17-year-old debutant plays a pivotal role. 'Daayra' , which also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran , releases in theatres on 18 September .
Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar has revealed the casting philosophy behind her upcoming film 'Daayra', starring Kareena Kapoor Khan in the lead role, saying authenticity was the non-negotiable core of the project. The film, which also features Prithviraj Sukumaran, is scheduled to release in theatres on 18 September.
The Creative Brief: Real Over Glamorous
Gulzar said the production demanded a world populated by characters that audiences could genuinely recognise. 'We needed to create a world that was authentic, with characters from different walks of life that were identifiable and real,' she said. She credited casting director Taran Bajaj and the team of assistant directors for meticulously designing even the background performers — 'even if it is to just walk by.'
A Casting Process Built on Depth
Bajaj described the brief as demanding actors with psychological depth and sincerity. 'Daayra needed actors with depth, sincerity and a strong understanding of human psychology. We cast 75 speaking roles, with each character approached from Meghna's creative lens,' Bajaj said. Notably, the search extended well beyond the commercial film circuit — auditions drew talent from the National School of Drama (NSD), the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), and local theatre groups across the country.
Pan-India Ensemble, One Unified World
The final cast brings together performers from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh, making 'Daayra' a true pan-India ensemble. One of the more challenging aspects, according to Bajaj, was casting across age groups — including a 17-year-old debutant in a pivotal role. Around 90 theatre actors, including NSD-trained performers, were reportedly considered before the final cast was locked.
No Small Parts: Every Role Auditioned
In an unusual production decision, even actors appearing in a single scene or delivering a solitary line were required to go through a rigorous audition and selection process. This approach reflects Gulzar's broader insistence that no corner of the film's world be left unexamined. The seamless blending of diverse regional dialects and performance traditions into a coherent whole was, Bajaj noted, one of the production's central responsibilities.
What to Expect
'Daayra' arrives in cinemas on 18 September. With Kareena Kapoor Khan headlining and Prithviraj Sukumaran in a key role, the film carries the weight of considerable expectation. Gulzar's track record — from 'Talvar' to 'Raazi' — suggests a filmmaker who prioritises craft over spectacle, and the casting process described here appears consistent with that reputation.
Point of View
A 17-year-old in a pivotal role, six states represented — reads less like a production note and more like a directorial statement. In an industry where ensemble casting often means stacking familiar faces, this approach is a deliberate counter-programming. The real question is whether the finished film justifies the architecture, or whether the process becomes the story. Gulzar's last two films earned their reputations on exactly this kind of rigour; 'Daayra' will be judged by the same standard.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Daayra' and when does it release?
'Daayra' is an upcoming Hindi film directed by Meghna Gulzar, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. It is scheduled to release in theatres on 18 September.
Why did Meghna Gulzar insist on such an extensive casting process for 'Daayra'?
Gulzar's brief was to create an authentic world with characters from different walks of life that felt identifiable and real. This meant casting actors with psychological depth and sincerity, even for minor roles, rather than relying on familiar industry faces.
How many speaking roles were cast in 'Daayra'?
Casting director Taran Bajaj confirmed that 75 speaking roles were cast for the film, with each character developed through Gulzar's creative lens. Around 90 theatre actors, including those trained at the National School of Drama and FTII, were reportedly considered.
Where did the cast of 'Daayra' come from?
The cast draws talent from Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Delhi, Kerala, and Madhya Pradesh, making it a pan-India ensemble. Auditions were held across theatre groups, NSD, and FTII in addition to the mainstream film industry.
Who is the 17-year-old debutant in 'Daayra'?
The specific name of the 17-year-old debutant has not been disclosed in available information, but casting director Taran Bajaj confirmed the young actor plays a pivotal role and was cast through the same rigorous audition process applied to all performers in the film.
