September 17, 2026: Meghna Gulzar has never been a filmmaker to offer easy answers, and Daayra continues that streak with sharp focus. Following real-world inspired dramas like Talvar, her latest project dives straight into the ethical swamp of police encounters, pitting two relentless officers against each other over a single, horrifying crime.
The setup is stark: a young girl’s brutal murder sparks nationwide outrage, putting immense pressure on the authorities to deliver results. DCP Raman Kumar (Prithviraj Sukumaran) steps up, tracks down the suspects, and swiftly executes an encounter that earns him instant praise from a bloodthirsty public. But as the dust settles, internal red flags trigger a special investigation led by DCP Ajooni Kohli (Kareena Kapoor Khan). What begins as a routine procedure quickly unspools into a unsettling look at police overreach and systemic shortcuts.
What sets the film Daayra apart is its commitment to avoiding basic black-and-white heroics. Neither character is painted as a pure hero or a clean-cut villain. Instead, they embody two fundamentally opposed philosophies on what “justice” actually means when the system breaks down.
‘Daayra’ Review: A Gripping Look at Law, Order, and the Gray Area in Between
The performances ground the narrative beautifully:
- Kareena Kapoor Khan brings a quiet, internal gravity to Ajooni. She bypasses loud, posturing cop tropes in favor of a calm, sharp authority that carries real emotional weight beneath the surface.
- Prithviraj Sukumaran commands the screen with an intense, steady presence. He plays Raman not as a rogue action hero, but as a man entirely convinced of his own moral righteousness, making his actions all the more unsettling.
Gulzar keeps the direction grounded and methodical, letting the procedural investigation build tension naturally without relying on cheap jump scares or melodramatic outbursts. The narrative shifts carefully, revealing small details that force you to re-evaluate what you just saw.
It isn’t a flawless ride. The pacing stutters slightly in the middle act, taking its time to lay down clues, and certain character subplots, like Ajooni’s dynamic with her father, feel somewhat truncated. Furthermore, given the heavy subject matter, this is a somber, uncomfortable watch by design rather than light weekend entertainment.
Despite those minor pacing hiccups, Daayra stands out as a mature, compelling crime drama driven by exceptionally strong lead performances. It forces uncomfortable questions about extrajudicial justice and leaves you thinking long after the credits roll.
Verdict: Highly Recommended Runtime: 143 Minutes
Theatrical Release Date: September 18