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Ahead of Daayra, 10 times Kareena Kapoor played unglamorous roles on screen

Updated On: 17 September, 2026 04:09 PM IST | Amarylisa Gonsalves

Kareena Kapoor is set to return to the screen with Daayra, where she plays a cop in pursuit of justice. While the actress may be best known for her ultra-glamorous personality off the screen, she has never shied away from taking on raw roles where she had to let go of her glam avatar. As she once again steps into a raw and grounded zone, here's a look back at her non-glamorous roles.

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01
Kareena Kapoor's non-glamorous roles. Pics via IMDb
Kareena Kapoor's non-glamorous roles. Pics via IMDb
02
Kareena Kapoor made her acting debut in Refugee, a tragic cross-border romance, where she played a simple, unglamorous refugee girl named Naaz.
Kareena Kapoor made her acting debut in Refugee, a tragic cross-border romance, where she played a simple, unglamorous refugee girl named Naaz.
03
In Chameli, Kareena stepped into the shoes of a street-smart sex worker donning loud clothes and heavy makeup suited to the character. However, her performace was raw and vulnerable.
In Chameli, Kareena stepped into the shoes of a street-smart sex worker donning loud clothes and heavy makeup suited to the character. However, her performace was raw and vulnerable.
04
Udta Punjab saw her play a migrant nurse trying to help victims of a rampant drug abuse crisis in simple cotton suits and no makeup.
Udta Punjab saw her play a migrant nurse trying to help victims of a rampant drug abuse crisis in simple cotton suits and no makeup.
05
In Omkara, the adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, she played Dolly Mishra, a quiet, tragic, and vulnerable young woman sporting a restrained, natural look.
In Omkara, the adaptation of Shakespeare's Othello, she played Dolly Mishra, a quiet, tragic, and vulnerable young woman sporting a restrained, natural look.
06
In 2004's Dev, she played a young woman, who is a victim of communal riots. She shed all glamour to bring forth a stark, painful reality.
In 2004's Dev, she played a young woman, who is a victim of communal riots. She shed all glamour to bring forth a stark, painful reality.
07
In the romantic comedy, Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, her role as Dia Sharma, a dedicated social worker living in a remote village, saw her in a very simple look wearing basic cotton ethnic clothes to fit the rural backdrop.
In the romantic comedy, Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, her role as Dia Sharma, a dedicated social worker living in a remote village, saw her in a very simple look wearing basic cotton ethnic clothes to fit the rural backdrop.
08
Kareena once again stripped away all stardom to play Maya D'Souza, a fatigued single mother living in Kalimpong in Jaane Jaan. She portrays the character with minimal makeup and a palpable, subdued anxiety.
Kareena once again stripped away all stardom to play Maya D'Souza, a fatigued single mother living in Kalimpong in Jaane Jaan. She portrays the character with minimal makeup and a palpable, subdued anxiety.
09
As Princess Kaurwaki in Asoka, Kareena traded the Bollywood designer costumes for fierce warrior attire, with smoky, Kohl-rimmed eyes and body art.
As Princess Kaurwaki in Asoka, Kareena traded the Bollywood designer costumes for fierce warrior attire, with smoky, Kohl-rimmed eyes and body art. 
10
As Jasmeet Bhamra in The Buckingham Murders, Kareen played a grieving British-Indian detective investigating a child murder case in Buckinghamshire. She looked bleak, cold, and exhausted in the film to portray her trauma.
As Jasmeet Bhamra in The Buckingham Murders, Kareen played a grieving British-Indian detective investigating a child murder case in Buckinghamshire. She looked bleak, cold, and exhausted in the film to portray her trauma.
11
As Rupa D'Souza in Laal Singh Chaddha, she navigated a woman's journey through a turbulent life. Her raw portrayal captures the weathering of a deeply troubled character.
As Rupa D'Souza in Laal Singh Chaddha, she navigated a woman's journey through a turbulent life. Her raw portrayal captures the weathering of a deeply troubled character.

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