Daayra is a crime thriller directed by Meghna Gulzar, featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles. Released in theatres on 18 September 2026, the film revolves around a disturbing criminal case, a controversial police encounter and two officers who have very different ideas about justice.
Rather than presenting a straightforward action thriller, Daayra spends much of its time examining the complicated relationship between law, justice, police authority and accountability. The film asks an uncomfortable question: what happens when people lose faith in the legal system and start believing that immediate punishment is the only way to deliver justice?
With its serious subject, restrained performances and investigative approach, Daayra attempts to be more than a conventional crime movie. But does it succeed in turning its powerful subject into a consistently gripping cinematic experience?
Let’s take a closer look in this Daayra Movie Review.
Daayra Movie: Quick Details
| Category | Details |
| Movie Name | Daayra |
| Release Date | 18 September 2026 |
| Director | Meghna Gulzar |
| Lead Cast | Kareena Kapoor Khan, Prithviraj Sukumaran |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Runtime | 2 Hours 23 Minutes |
| Language | Hindi |
| Certification | A |
| Theatrical Format | 2D |
| Main Characters | DCP Ajooni Kohli, DCP Raman Kumar |
The movie is inspired by true events and uses an investigative setup to explore questions surrounding truth, accountability and the limits of justice.
Daayra Movie Review: Story
The story of Daayra begins with a horrifying crime involving a young woman and subsequently turns toward a controversial police encounter.
Prithviraj Sukumaran plays DCP Raman Kumar, a police officer whose approach to justice is considerably more aggressive. After the accused men are killed in an encounter, the incident becomes a major public issue.
On the other side is DCP Ajooni Kohli, played by Kareena Kapoor Khan. She becomes involved in investigating the encounter and begins examining the events that happened before and after the police action.
This creates the central conflict of the movie.
Raman believes that the system has repeatedly failed victims and that strong action is sometimes necessary. Ajooni, meanwhile, believes that justice cannot simply be replaced by punishment and that even serious crimes must be investigated through proper legal procedures.
The film therefore isn’t simply asking:
“Who is right?”
Instead, it asks a more complicated question:
“What happens when the public loses faith in the system that is supposed to deliver justice?”
That idea gives Daayra its strongest dramatic foundation.
The investigation gradually reveals different pieces of the case, allowing the audience to understand the actions of the police officers while also seeing the consequences of institutional failure.
Importantly, the film does not depend entirely on conventional twists. Much of its tension comes from the investigation and from watching the two contrasting philosophies develop.
Daayra Movie Review: Direction by Meghna Gulzar
Meghna Gulzar takes a restrained approach to the material.
Instead of turning Daayra into a loud commercial thriller filled with constant action sequences, the director concentrates on conversations, investigation, police procedures and the moral questions surrounding the case.
This approach works particularly well during the investigative portions.
The audience gets time to understand how the case develops and why Ajooni starts questioning the official version of events.
What works in the direction?
- The serious subject is handled with restraint.
- The investigation receives considerable attention.
- The conflict between the two officers is clearly established.
- The film avoids turning everything into an action spectacle.
- The moral questions remain central to the story.
- The performances are allowed to drive many scenes.
However, the same restrained approach can also make the movie feel slower than expected.
Anyone entering Daayra expecting a fast-paced crime thriller with continuous twists may find the pacing measured, particularly during some sections of the first half.
The movie seems more interested in examining the problem than delivering a conventional thriller payoff.
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Performance
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays DCP Ajooni Kohli, an officer who approaches the investigation through procedure and evidence.
Her performance is controlled rather than exaggerated.
Ajooni is not written as the typical larger-than-life police officer who solves everything through dramatic speeches or physical confrontation. Instead, Kareena plays her as someone who listens, observes and gradually builds her case.
This suits the overall tone of the movie.
Some of her strongest moments come when Ajooni interacts with people connected to the case. These scenes allow the character to show empathy without becoming overly emotional.
What makes Kareena’s performance effective?
- Controlled body language
- Serious dialogue delivery
- Strong screen presence
- A believable investigative attitude
- Emotional restraint
- A different performance style from many of her mainstream roles
At the same time, Ajooni’s personal background could have been explored more deeply.
The film introduces elements of her personal connection to the judicial system, but there are moments when you may wish the screenplay had spent more time developing this part of her character.
That would have made her conflict feel even more personal.
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Performance
Prithviraj Sukumaran plays DCP Raman Kumar, and his character provides one of the film’s most interesting dimensions.
Raman isn’t presented as a simple villain.
He has a particular understanding of justice, and his actions come from his belief that the existing system does not adequately protect victims.
That makes the character more complicated.
Prithviraj keeps the performance relatively controlled. Rather than constantly explaining Raman’s thinking, he allows his expressions and dialogue delivery to communicate the character’s confidence and conviction.
Prithviraj’s performance stands out because:
- Raman has a clear ideology.
- His character isn’t written as completely one-dimensional.
- His dialogue delivery carries authority.
- He creates tension without relying on excessive aggression.
- His scenes with Kareena provide the film’s central dramatic conflict.
The contrast between Raman and Ajooni is one of the movie’s strongest elements.
They are not simply two police officers investigating the same case.
They represent two different approaches to justice.
Ajooni vs Raman: The Central Conflict
The most interesting aspect of Daayra is the philosophical conflict between its two central characters.
| Ajooni Kohli | Raman Kumar |
| Believes in due process | Believes decisive action may be necessary |
| Investigates the encounter | Is directly connected to the encounter |
| Looks for evidence | Focuses on immediate justice |
| Represents institutional procedure | Questions whether procedure is enough |
| Wants accountability | Believes the system has already failed |
This conflict gives the movie something more substantial than a simple police investigation.
Neither character is merely there to move the plot forward.
Their opposing ideas are the reason the story has emotional and social weight.
Daayra Movie Review: Screenplay and Pacing
The screenplay takes its time.
The first portion of the movie establishes the case, the characters and the circumstances surrounding the police encounter.
For viewers who enjoy investigative dramas, this can be a positive.
For those looking for immediate action, it may feel slow.
The film is strongest when it allows the investigation to reveal how a series of decisions and failures can lead to a much larger tragedy.
Strengths of the screenplay
- Strong central conflict
- Serious subject matter
- Detailed investigative portions
- Interesting moral questions
- Good use of contrasting characters
Weaknesses of the screenplay
- Some portions feel deliberately slow.
- Certain character details could have received more development.
- The tension does not always build as strongly as the premise promises.
- The final confrontation could have had greater emotional impact.
The movie has the ingredients of a powerful thriller, but it sometimes chooses observation over suspense.
That isn’t necessarily a flaw, but it does mean expectations matter.
Does Daayra Work as a Crime Thriller?
Yes, but with an important qualification.
Daayra is not a conventional thriller where every few minutes brings a major twist.
It is closer to an investigative crime drama with thriller elements.
The film is interested in:
- Police investigation
- Crime
- Justice
- Accountability
- Institutional failure
- Public anger
- Legal procedure
- Moral responsibility
The investigative sections are among the more effective portions because they allow the story to slowly reveal the circumstances surrounding the case.
However, viewers expecting a highly commercial thriller may find the movie more serious and restrained than anticipated.
Daayra Movie Review: Supporting Cast
The supporting performances also contribute to the atmosphere of the film.
Kshitee Jog gets an emotionally important role as the mother of the victim. Her performance brings a human dimension to a story that could otherwise become overly focused on police procedure and ideology.
Jitendra Joshi also makes an impression in his supporting role, while the other supporting characters help establish the police and investigative environment around the central conflict.
The supporting cast doesn’t overpower the two leads, but it gives the story additional emotional depth.
Cinematography, Background Score and Technical Aspects
The technical presentation of Daayra follows the serious mood of its story.
The film does not need bright commercial visuals to communicate its atmosphere. The investigative setting, police environments and serious subject matter naturally lend themselves to a darker and more controlled visual style.
The background score works mainly to support the tension rather than turning every scene into a dramatic spectacle.
One notable feature is that the movie remains focused on its narrative instead of frequently breaking the mood with unnecessary musical interruptions.
This helps maintain the serious tone.
Daayra Movie Review: What Works
There are several elements that make Daayra worth discussing.
1. Strong central idea
The film explores the difference between law and justice, which gives it more substance than a routine crime story.
2. Kareena and Prithviraj
The two lead actors bring very different energies to their characters, making their conflict interesting.
3. Investigative approach
The movie takes time to examine the case instead of rushing directly toward action.
4. Serious subject
The story deals with difficult questions about police power, accountability and institutional responsibility.
5. Moral complexity
The movie does not make its central conflict completely black and white.
Daayra Movie Review: What Doesn’t Work
The film also has some limitations.
1. Slow pacing
Some viewers may find the measured storytelling too slow.
2. Underdeveloped character layers
A few personal elements introduced in the screenplay could have received more attention.
3. Limited thriller impact
The premise suggests a highly suspenseful crime thriller, but the film often behaves more like a serious investigative drama.
4. Final confrontation
The central conflict between Ajooni and Raman builds throughout the movie, so the eventual payoff needs to carry significant emotional weight. For some viewers, this confrontation may feel less explosive than expected.
Is Daayra Worth Watching?
If you enjoy serious crime dramas, investigative stories and movies that raise questions about justice, Daayra is worth considering.
The film is particularly suited to viewers who prefer character-driven stories over nonstop action.
You may enjoy Daayra if you like:
- Crime investigations
- Police dramas
- Socially relevant stories
- Morally complicated characters
- Kareena Kapoor Khan
- Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Meghna Gulzar’s filmmaking
- Slow-burn thrillers
You may not enjoy it as much if you prefer:
- Constant action
- Frequent twists
- Fast-paced storytelling
- Conventional commercial thrillers
- Simple heroes and villains
The film asks the audience to think about the difference between punishment and justice rather than simply providing an easy answer.
Daayra Movie Rating
Daayra Rating: 3/5
The rating comes from the balance between the movie’s strong subject, performances and investigative sections and its slower pacing and somewhat restrained dramatic payoff.
The biggest strength is the central conflict between Ajooni and Raman.
The biggest limitation is that the film occasionally introduces ideas that feel bigger than what the screenplay eventually explores.
Daayra Movie Review FAQs
1. What is Daayra about?
Daayra is a crime drama about a controversial criminal case and police encounter. The story follows DCP Ajooni Kohli and DCP Raman Kumar, whose different ideas about justice put them on opposing sides of the case.
2. Who stars in Daayra?
The movie stars Kareena Kapoor Khan as DCP Ajooni Kohli and Prithviraj Sukumaran as DCP Raman Kumar. The supporting cast includes Jitendra Joshi, Kshitee Jog and Biswapati Sarkar.
3. Who directed Daayra?
Daayra is directed by Meghna Gulzar, who is also credited with writing and editing the film.
4. When was Daayra released?
Daayra was released in theatres on 18 September 2026.
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Final Verdict: Daayra Movie Review
Daayra is an ambitious crime drama that wants its audience to think about justice rather than simply watch a police investigation.
Kareena Kapoor Khan gives a composed performance as Ajooni Kohli, while Prithviraj Sukumaran brings intensity and conviction to Raman Kumar. Their opposing views form the heart of the film.
The movie is at its best when it examines how institutional failures can affect ordinary people and how public anger can influence the way justice is understood.
Its investigative portions are engaging, and the serious subject gives the film weight. However, the pacing is measured, and some character relationships and dramatic confrontations could have been developed further.
Overall, Daayra is more of a thoughtful crime drama than a traditional edge-of-the-seat thriller. It may not satisfy every viewer looking for constant suspense, but audiences interested in police investigations, moral conflicts and socially relevant cinema will find plenty to discuss after watching it.
Final Rating: 3/5