Daayra, the latest film directed by Meghna Gulzar, arrived in theatres on September 18, 2026, bringing together Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles. The film is positioned as a crime drama that explores the difficult relationship between law, justice and individual interpretations of morality.
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays DCP Ajooni Kohli, a police officer who approaches an investigation through established legal procedures. Prithviraj Sukumaran plays DCP Raman Kumar, a senior officer whose understanding of justice takes a considerably different path. Their contrasting approaches become the central dramatic conflict as the story examines a sensitive criminal case and the decisions made by law enforcement officials.
The film focuses on the question of how justice should be pursued when public anger, institutional limitations and legal procedures come into conflict. Rather than presenting the two officers simply as opposing characters, the narrative places their different beliefs about policing and justice at the centre of the investigation.
According to reviews published around the film’s release, Daayra attempts to examine the gaps that can emerge between the law and the public expectation of immediate justice. The story also addresses issues surrounding crimes against women, the functioning of the justice system and the way society responds to high-profile criminal cases.
The film’s central characters follow different methods. Ajooni Kohli represents a more procedure-driven approach, while Raman Kumar is portrayed as an officer willing to take a more forceful position when dealing with accused criminals. Their differing philosophies create the foundation for the investigation and gradually bring the two characters into conflict.
The film uses a crime investigation structure to explore these ideas. Reviews have noted that the narrative moves between different stages of the case and uses a non-linear structure to present the events surrounding the investigation. This approach allows the audience to understand the perspectives of the two officers while gradually revealing more information about the case.
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s performance has received attention from several reviewers. NDTV described both Kareena and Prithviraj as being at the top of their games, while other reviews highlighted Kareena’s restrained portrayal of Ajooni. Her character is written as a police officer who maintains a controlled exterior while dealing with the difficult circumstances surrounding the investigation.
Prithviraj Sukumaran has also received positive comments for his portrayal of Raman Kumar. Reviews have highlighted the intensity and conviction he brings to the character. His performance is built around an officer who believes strongly in his own approach to dealing with crime and punishment.
The supporting cast also contributes to the film. Reviews have specifically mentioned Kshitee Jog’s portrayal of the victim’s mother, while Jitendra Joshi and other supporting actors have been noted for their performances. These characters help expand the emotional and institutional dimensions of the story.
Meghna Gulzar’s direction remains an important part of the film’s presentation. The director has previously explored subjects involving crime, conflict, institutions and difficult moral questions in films such as Talvar, Raazi and Sam Bahadur. Daayra continues that interest by placing two police officers with different philosophies at the heart of a complicated investigation.
Critics have not been completely uniform in their assessment of the film. Some reviews have praised its performances, subject matter and examination of justice, while others have pointed to limitations in the development of the central conflict and the impact of the final confrontation. India Today, for example, said the film raises important questions but argued that some of its ideas were not pushed far enough.
The Indian Express similarly praised Prithviraj’s performance while expressing reservations about the treatment of Kareena Kapoor’s character and the film’s narrative focus. Such differences in critical response indicate that the film’s themes have generated discussion, while its execution has received varied assessments.
NDTV gave the film a positive review, highlighting the performances of its two leads and the way the story examines conflicting interpretations of justice. The review also noted the film’s fictional setting and its focus on a criminal case involving contrasting approaches within the police system.
The film’s subject matter also makes it different from a conventional crime thriller. Instead of relying entirely on mystery or action, Daayra spends considerable time examining why people within the same justice system can reach very different conclusions about what should be done.
This conflict between legal procedure and immediate action forms the emotional and intellectual foundation of the film. Ajooni’s approach is based on investigation and evidence, while Raman’s perspective reflects a stronger belief in decisive action against criminals. The film uses their conflict to ask broader questions about whether justice can be separated from the methods used to achieve it.
The film also examines how public reactions to serious crimes can influence the way police investigations and judicial processes are viewed. Public anger, media attention and expectations of quick punishment can create additional pressure on institutions dealing with sensitive cases.
Daayra was produced by Junglee Pictures and Dr Jayantilal Gada’s Pen Studios, with distribution handled by Pen Marudhar. The film marks another collaboration between Meghna Gulzar and Junglee Pictures following their earlier projects. It was released in cinemas across India on September 18, 2026.
The film has attracted attention because of its combination of a prominent cast, an established director and a subject centred on crime and justice. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran are presented as two senior police officers whose professional philosophies gradually come into conflict.
For audiences interested in crime dramas that focus on legal and moral questions, Daayra offers a story built around competing ideas of justice rather than a straightforward hero and villain structure. Its reception so far has been mixed to positive, with reviewers particularly discussing the performances and the film’s treatment of institutional and social questions.
As the film begins its theatrical run, audience reactions will provide a broader picture of how viewers respond to its themes, performances and storytelling. The early critical response indicates that Daayra has generated discussion around its portrayal of justice, policing and crimes against women, even as reviewers differ on how effectively the film develops these ideas.