The first collaboration between the two studios begins with Meghna Gulzar’s crime thriller, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran
In a significant coming together of two established forces in Indian entertainment, Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios have joined hands for the first time. The two studios will collaborate on a strong and diverse slate of films.
The films will reach audiences across India and around the world. The partnership brings together two complementary strengths in the Indian film business.
Junglee Pictures brings a development-led and story-first approach. Pen Studios adds production expertise and strong theatrical distribution reach. Together, the studios aim to take compelling Indian stories to audiences at scale.
The collaboration will begin with ‘Daayra’, a powerful crime thriller inspired by true events. The film is directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Meghna Gulzar. It stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles.
‘Daayra’ will release theatrically worldwide on September 18, 2026. Its trailer is set to launch on August 31.
A Partnership Built Around Strong Stories
Junglee Pictures has built a reputation for backing films with strong narratives. The studio has also delivered commercial success.
Its acclaimed titles include Haq, Raazi, Badhaai Do, Badhaai Ho and Talvar. With this collaboration, the studio continues to build on that reputation. It also looks ahead with an exciting upcoming lineup.
Meanwhile, Pen Studios is a market leader with a strong legacy in film production and distribution. The studio has backed blockbuster titles such as Gangubai Kathiawadi and RRR.
Pen Studios is also behind upcoming Tumbbad2. It has played a pivotal role in taking Indian cinema to global audiences.
Therefore, the partnership brings together two studios with complementary strengths. Junglee Pictures is known for its creative and story-driven approach. Pen Studios adds production expertise and theatrical distribution strength.
Both studios share a belief in compelling storytelling. As a result, the partnership aims to back films rooted in strong narratives. These films will also appeal to audiences across different geographies and languages.
In addition, the collaboration brings together the creative strengths of both studios. It also combines their production expertise and distribution capabilities.
The partnership promises a slate spanning different genres, voices and cinematic experiences.
‘Daayra’ Marks the Beginning
The first release under the partnership will be ‘Daayra’. The film brings together Meghna Gulzar, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
It is a crime thriller inspired by true events.
Set against the backdrop of a shocking crime and its aftermath, the film explores several difficult questions. These include crime, punishment, justice and accountability.
As the story unfolds, it examines the blurred lines between law and social ideas of justice. The film also raises an uncomfortable question.
Can justice truly exist outside the boundaries of the law?
With Meghna Gulzar at the helm, ‘Daayra’ brings together a prominent creative and acting team. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran lead the cast.
The film also marks an important beginning for the new collaboration between the two studios.
Indian Theatrical Cinema Shows Renewed Confidence
The partnership comes at a time of renewed confidence in the Indian theatrical market. Hindi cinema recorded its biggest-ever year at the box office in 2025.
The industry recorded ₹5,504 crore in gross collections. Furthermore, original Hindi-language films accounted for 93% of Hindi box-office revenue.
The momentum has continued into 2026. The first half of the year delivered the Indian box office’s strongest first-half performance of the post-pandemic era.
However, the bigger shift lies in audience choices. Recent box-office trends have seen films across genres break through.
As a result, the trend has highlighted a growing opportunity for films with strong narratives. Such films do not have to rely only on scale or star power.
It is against this backdrop that the Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios partnership takes shape. Both studios bring distinct strengths to the table.
Their shared focus on storytelling further strengthens the collaboration. The partnership can therefore explore films that connect with audiences in India and internationally.
Vineet Jain on the Collaboration
Vineet Jain, Managing Director, The Times Group, shared his thoughts on the partnership:
“As a studio, Junglee Pictures has always believed in stories that entertain, inspire and challenge society. What better way to begin this association with Pen Studios than with the gripping crime drama Daayra, helmed by Meghna Gulzar? Collaborating with Meghna is always creatively rewarding. Our work together on Raazi and Talvar reflects our shared commitment to strong, story-first cinema. Joining forces with Jayantibhai and Pen Studios, whose nuanced understanding of the Indian audience is unparalleled, adds a dynamic layer to our broader vision. We’re truly looking forward to exploring the possibilities this collaboration unlocks for the future of Indian storytelling.”
His statement highlights the creative foundation of the partnership. In particular, he points to Junglee Pictures’ previous work with Meghna Gulzar.
That includes Raazi and Talvar. The collaboration with Pen Studios adds another dimension to the studio’s broader storytelling vision.
Pen Studios Looks Ahead
Dr. Jayantilal Gada, Chairman and Managing Director, Pen Studios, also spoke about the collaboration:
“We are thrilled to embark on this journey with Junglee Pictures, a company that has consistently demonstrated a commitment to impactful storytelling. The combination of Junglee’s creative prowess and our robust distribution network creates a truly powerful team. Daayra is a terrific film to begin with. Meghna Gulzar has a very distinctive voice and an ability to approach difficult subjects with both restraint and intensity. With Kareena and Prithviraj leading the cast, this is the kind of theatrical film that can create both curiosity and conversation. We are excited to bring it to audiences and to build a long-term association with Junglee.”
The statement underlines the complementary strengths of both studios. Junglee Pictures brings its creative prowess. Pen Studios contributes its robust distribution network.
Together, they aim to support films that can generate audience interest. They also hope to create meaningful conversations around their stories.
Most importantly, ‘Daayra’ sets the tone for this new association. The film combines a strong narrative with an acclaimed filmmaker and a prominent lead cast.
At the same time, it explores complex questions around justice and accountability.
The collaboration between Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios marks a new chapter for both studios. With ‘Daayra’ as its first release, the partnership looks to build a diverse film slate.
The focus remains on compelling stories. The films are also designed to reach audiences across India and around the world.
‘Daayra’ releases in theatres on September 18, 2026.
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