With the upcoming thriller Daayra securing its ‘A’ (Adults Only) certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Kareena Kapoor Khan has officially reached a unique milestone of 10 adult-rated films in her career.
Her first ‘A’ film was Ajnabee (2001). This early-career suspense thriller, co-starring Akshay Kumar, received an ‘A’ rating due to its mature themes revolving around spouse-swapping, adultery, and murder.
Chameli in 2003 was a critically acclaimed turning point in her filmography, where she played a street-smart sex worker, leading to an adult rating for its gritty look at red-light districts and mature language.
Govind Nihalani’s Dev (2004) was a hard-hitting drama focused on communal riots and political corruption, receiving an ‘A’ certificate for intense, realistic violence and heavy socio-political themes.
Omkara (2006) was Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Othello. It was certified adult due to its raw rustic setting, intense violence, crime-filled backdrop, and extensive use of strong language.
Kurbaan (2009) was post-9/11 counter-terrorism thriller co-starring Saif Ali Khan. It received an ‘A’ rating due to graphic violence, dark terrorist plots, and explicit romantic scenes.
Heroine (2012) was Madhur Bhandarkar’s raw expose on the dark underbelly of Bollywood and received its rating for depicting substance abuse, bold intimate scenes, and the toxic mental health spirals of a superstar.
In Udta Punjab (2016), Kareena played a doctor combating the drug epidemic in Punjab. The film famously fought a heavy censor battle and was released with an ‘A’ certificate due to heavy profanity, graphic drug consumption, and dark themes.
Veere Di Wedding. This female-buddy comedy broke barriers and earned an adult rating primarily for its uninhibited use of strong language, explicit dialogue, and frank discussions around modern relationships and sexuality.
The Buckingham Murders (2024), directed by Hansal Mehta, was a moody investigative procedural that saw Kareena playing a grieving detective. It received an ‘A’ certificate for its grim, atmospheric violence and heavy themes surrounding grief and communal tension.
Daayra (2026), Kareena’s latest investigative thriller directed by Meghna Gulzar, tackles real-life-inspired cases involving severe crimes against women and institutional justice, requiring a strict ‘A’ certification for its intense and triggering subject matter.
