'Daayra' Review, Prithviraj And Kareena Shine In A Sincere Crime Drama That Misses Payoff
'Daayra' is an upcoming investigative crime thriller directed by Meghna Gulzar. The movie features Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleDaayra is a grounded crime drama that asks what real justice means. When young 'Ragini' is raped and murdered, DCP 'Raman Kumar' delivers quick justice through an encounter that the public celebrates. But questions rise about whether it was staged. DCP 'Ajooni Kohli' is called to investigate her own department.
Meghna Gulzar uses this clash to explore law, duty and conscience with strong performances and restrained craft. The film leaves you with uncomfortable questions that stay long after it ends.
Two ideas of justice collide in Daayra
Daayra starts with a celebration. DCP 'Raman Kumar' is being cheered by the public. People want selfies, and sweets are being shared among everyone. Four accused have been shot dead in a police encounter.
The case was about a young girl, 'Ragini,' whose burnt body was found in a remote spot. The forensic report said rape and murder. Her mother, 'Parvati,' and brother 'Kabir' had gone to the police earlier, but no one took the case seriously. When media pressure grew, 'Raman Kumar' and his team were asked to catch the culprits.
They arrested four men quickly. Then they say the men tried to escape and fired at the police. In return fire, the accused died. Many people feel justice is done, but some feel the encounter was staged. So, a Special Investigation Team is formed. It is led by DCP 'Ajooni Kohli,' who works in internal vigilance. She is known for strict action against officers who break the law. She starts investigating 'Raman Kumar' and his senior commissioner, 'Anand,' and his team.
‘Ajooni’s’ method is simple. She follows the rulebook, checks the timelines, and recreates crime scenes. She also asks tough questions. She looks at CCTV and phone records. The story moves between past and present. One side shows how 'Raman' tracked the men. The other side shows how 'Ajooni' finds gaps in that story.
Daayra also raises some hard questions. Does due process give real justice to victims? How long should a mother wait for the court to punish the guilty? What about a juvenile who gets a light punishment and returns to society?
The film is inspired by real events, and it shows the pain of the victim's family and also the limits of the law. It also shows how police often delay filing an FIR and how families are pushed from one station to another. The line where one accused says to let someone go shows the casual cruelty of such minds. The treatment makes you think about duty, conscience, and where the circle of law should end.
Strong acting and controlled craft keep the film grounded
Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran lead Daayra with very different styles. Prithviraj plays 'Raman Kumar' as a focused and firm officer. He wants no errors in the investigation. He speaks less, and his eyes speak more. He believes his duty is not over after the arrest.
The character also knows how to hide anger and still do his job. His talk with 'Parvati' changes him. When she asks why her family should hide, he starts seeing the case as personal. His lines about detection and duty show his deep belief in instant justice.
Kareena as 'Ajooni Kohli' brings sharp and calm energy. She smiles while questioning cops, but she is very alert. She notices patterns early. She does not target colleagues but only the incident. Her dialogue about the law having a circle sums up her view. She follows the law even when public emotion is opposite.
Kshitee Jog as 'Parvati' is outstanding even with less screen time. Her breakdown on seeing her daughter's body stays in mind. Her scenes in the police station show the real helplessness of victim families. Other actors like Jitendra Joshi as 'Karad', Upendra Chauhan as 'Vishal', Biswapati Sarkar as 'Anand,' and Brij Bhushan Shukla as 'Bala' add value.
Meghna Gulzar directs with control. She does not waste time. She uses intercuts between two investigations to keep tension high. She also adds subtle comments on police apathy. The background score by Ketan Sodha adds mood without being loud. Camera work by Saurabh Goswami stays close and real.
Editing by Meghna Gulzar and Charu Shree Roy keeps the story tight in the first part, but the second part feels a bit long. The climax ends abruptly without a big face-off between the two leads. Even with that flaw, Daayra stays engaging because it asks important questions about law, conscience, and duty, and it does not try to give easy answers.
Daayra is releasing in theatres on September 18, 2026.
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