Daayra Movie Review 2026
Meghna Gulzar's Daayra arrives with the kind of subject that naturally creates difficult questions. Starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film is a crime thriller about a disturbing case, two police officers and two very different ideas of justice.
The film was released in cinemas on September 18, 2026 and runs for approximately 2 hours 23 minutes. It is inspired by true events and focuses on the uneasy space between law, revenge, police action and accountability. The film also marks the first on-screen collaboration between Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
So, is Daayra worth watching? The answer depends largely on how much you value a serious, morally complicated crime drama over a fast-moving thriller. The film has strong performances and an interesting central conflict, but several early reviews have also pointed to pacing and screenplay issues.
IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}
What Is Daayra About?
At the centre of Daayra are two senior police officers: DCP Raman Kumar, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran, and DCP Ajooni Kohli, played by Kareena Kapoor Khan.
The story begins after a young woman, Ragini, disappears. Her family approaches the police, but the case does not initially receive the seriousness they expect. Her body is later discovered, turning the incident into a major public and media issue.
Raman Kumar and his team eventually arrest four men connected to the crime. The situation takes a dramatic turn when the accused are killed in a police encounter before they can face the court.
That is where Ajooni Kohli enters the picture. She is assigned to investigate the encounter and starts examining whether what happened can genuinely be described as justice.
The central conflict is therefore not simply about finding criminals. It is about what justice means when public anger, police power, legal procedure and personal morality collide.
The film's official promotional material describes it as an investigation involving Raman and Ajooni, who find themselves on opposite sides of the same system.
Daayra Story and Plot
Without giving away the later developments, the basic structure of Daayra is built around two competing approaches.
Raman represents one understanding of justice. After the horrific crime, his actions turn him into a figure celebrated by sections of the public. The encounter becomes a symbol of immediate punishment.
Ajooni approaches the same situation from a different direction. Her responsibility is to investigate what happened during the encounter and determine whether the official version can withstand scrutiny.
This creates an interesting moral situation because neither character is presented simply as a conventional hero or villain.
The film asks whether punishment outside the legal process can ever be considered justice and what happens when society becomes more interested in an immediate answer than a complete investigation.
The story is inspired by true events, but viewers should remember that Daayra is presented as a work of fiction rather than a documentary reconstruction. The makers have described the film as a story about crime, justice and punishment.
Cast and Characters
Kareena Kapoor Khan as DCP Ajooni Kohli
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays DCP Ajooni Kohli, the investigating officer whose work brings her into direct conflict with Raman's approach to the case.
Ajooni is not investigating an ordinary crime. She is questioning an encounter that has already generated public approval, which makes her position considerably more complicated.
Kareena's role is important because the character represents the procedural and legal side of the film's central argument.
Prithviraj Sukumaran as DCP Raman Kumar
Prithviraj Sukumaran plays DCP Raman Kumar, a senior police officer whose handling of the case puts him on the opposite side of Ajooni.
Raman is presented as a confident police officer with a very different understanding of how justice should be delivered. The role gives Prithviraj considerable space to play a character whose actions can be viewed differently depending on one's interpretation of law and punishment.
Several reviews have singled out Prithviraj's performance as one of the film's strongest elements.
Kshitee Jog as Ragini's Mother
Kshitee Jog plays Ragini's mother, a character who gives the film an emotional connection beyond its police investigation.
Her presence reminds the audience that behind the legal and political debate is a family dealing with the loss of a young woman.
Jitendra Joshi and Other Supporting Cast
The supporting cast includes Jitendra Joshi, Kanwaljeet Singh, Achint Kaur, Seema Azmi, Anuja Sathe, Biswapati Sarkar, Sandesh Kulkarni and Trupti Khamkar, among others.
Jitendra Joshi and Kshitee Jog have received particular attention in early reviews for their supporting performances.
Performance and Acting
The biggest attraction of Daayra is the combination of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Their characters are deliberately placed on different sides of the central investigation, so the film depends on the audience understanding why each officer sees justice differently.
Prithviraj has received strong notices from multiple reviewers, with The Indian Express describing his performance as contained and effective, while other reviews have also highlighted his presence in the film.
Kareena's performance has received a more mixed critical response. Some reviews have praised her work, while others have questioned how much material the character is given and how the screenplay uses her presence.
Kshitee Jog's performance as the grieving mother is another emotional highlight mentioned by critics.
Overall, the acting gives the film credibility even in sections where the screenplay does not maintain the same level of intensity.
Meghna Gulzar's Direction and Screenplay
Meghna Gulzar directs Daayra and also receives a writing credit alongside Yash Keswani and Sima Agarwal. The official trailer credits Gulzar as director and lists Keswani, Agarwal and Gulzar as writers.
The subject is very much in territory associated with Gulzar's socially focused filmmaking: a crime becomes a starting point for examining a larger institutional question.
Instead of making the story solely about the original crime, Daayra moves toward the consequences of the police encounter and the investigation that follows.
This gives the movie a more procedural character.
However, pacing is one area where the film has divided critics. India Today noted that the film's investigation can lose momentum, while Mint's review also described the procedural approach as restrained.
That means viewers expecting a constantly escalating thriller may find Daayra slower than anticipated.
Themes: Justice, Revenge and Accountability
The most interesting aspect of Daayra is its central moral question.
The film examines several connected ideas:
- Justice versus revenge
- Police power and accountability
- Public anger after a horrific crime
- The importance of legal procedure
- Media influence on criminal cases
- Institutional failure
- Society's attitude toward victims
- The difference between punishment and justice
The title itself becomes meaningful in this context. The characters operate within different boundaries, but the film keeps asking whether those boundaries can actually contain a complicated reality.
It is less interested in giving the audience an easy answer and more interested in putting competing viewpoints against each other.
Cinematography, Music and Visual Presentation
Daayra uses a serious visual language suited to its crime-drama setting. The film's promotional material and trailer establish a tense world built around police stations, investigations, media attention and the aftermath of a violent crime.
The cinematography is credited to Saurabh Goswami ISC, while editing is credited to Charu Shree Roy and Meghna Gulzar. The official trailer credits Amit Trivedi with the music and Gulzar with the lyrics.
Interestingly, the film has only one song. “Sach Ka Daayra” features vocals by B Praak, lyrics by Gulzar and music by Amit Trivedi. The track was released ahead of the film and is closely connected to its themes of truth and perspective.
For a serious investigative drama, keeping the musical presence limited makes sense because the film's primary focus remains the investigation and its moral conflict.
Daayra Movie 2026: Release Date and Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Title | Daayra |
| Release Year | 2026 |
| Theatrical Release Date | September 18, 2026 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Country | India |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Director | Meghna Gulzar |
| Writers | Yash Keswani, Sima Agarwal, Meghna Gulzar |
| Production | Junglee Pictures, Pen Studios |
| Producers | Vineet Jain, Dhaval Gada |
| Main Cast | Kareena Kapoor Khan, Prithviraj Sukumaran |
| Runtime | 143 minutes / 2 hours 23 minutes |
| Certification | A |
| Theatrical Distributor | Pen Marudhar |
The release date, runtime, certification and theatrical information are listed by current movie databases and ticketing platforms, while the trailer's official credits confirm the director, writers, producers and production banners.
Daayra Trailer Review
The official Daayra trailer was released on August 31, 2026.
Rather than presenting the movie as a conventional police action film, the trailer focuses on the disagreement between Raman and Ajooni. One officer becomes associated with the encounter and public approval, while the other is tasked with investigating what actually happened.
The trailer establishes a serious and tense atmosphere and gives viewers a clear idea of the film's central question without revealing every development.
It also makes the Kareena-Prithviraj pairing one of the main attractions. Their first collaboration gives the movie an additional point of interest, particularly because their characters are positioned against each other professionally.
Daayra OTT Release: Where Can You Watch It?
As of September 19, 2026, Daayra has been released theatrically in India.
An official OTT platform and digital streaming date have not been confirmed. Current OTT listings still show the streaming information as unavailable/TBA.
Therefore, claims that Daayra is definitely coming to Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar or another specific service should not be treated as confirmed unless the makers or the platform officially announce it.
For now, the confirmed release is the theatrical release that began on September 18, 2026.
What Works in Daayra?
1. Strong central conflict
Putting two senior police officers on opposite sides of a controversial case gives the story a clear dramatic foundation.
2. Serious subject
The film does not treat its central crime simply as an excuse for action. It uses the case to discuss justice, accountability and institutional responsibility.
3. Prithviraj's performance
Prithviraj's portrayal of Raman has received positive attention from several critics and gives the film a strong central presence.
4. Kareena and Prithviraj together
Their first screen collaboration is one of the film's biggest casting attractions, especially because their characters have contrasting views.
5. Emotional supporting performances
Kshitee Jog's portrayal of Ragini's mother adds emotional weight to a story that could otherwise become overly procedural.
What May Not Work
The biggest concern is pacing.
Some critics have found the investigative portions slower than expected, with the screenplay losing momentum as the story progresses.
Another issue is that the film's moral conflict may feel more interesting in concept than in execution for some viewers. India Today's review argued that the movie raises important questions but does not always push the confrontation far enough.
The response to Kareena's role has also been mixed, with some reviewers feeling that her character is not given enough material compared with the expectations created by her casting.
So, if you are looking for a fast-paced crime thriller filled with constant twists, Daayra may feel restrained.
Daayra Movie Review: Final Verdict
Daayra is an ambitious crime drama built around a difficult question: where does justice end and revenge begin?
The film's strongest feature is its central conflict between Raman Kumar and Ajooni Kohli. Prithviraj Sukumaran brings considerable weight to Raman, while Kareena Kapoor Khan gives the investigation another perspective. The supporting performances, particularly Kshitee Jog's, strengthen the emotional side of the story.
At the same time, the film does not always deliver the level of tension its premise promises. The investigative sections can feel measured, and some critics have found that the screenplay does not fully exploit the moral conflict between its two central characters.
The critical response so far is mixed rather than unanimous. Rotten Tomatoes' review listings include opinions ranging from praise for the film's examination of justice and revenge to criticism of its execution and unresolved ending.
For viewers who enjoy serious Indian crime dramas, police procedurals and socially relevant stories, Daayra has enough substance to make it worth considering. Those looking for a purely commercial thriller may find its pace and restrained storytelling less satisfying.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 ⭐
This is an independent editorial rating for this review and is not an official IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, BookMyShow or filmmaker rating.
Frequently Asked Questions About Daayra Movie
1. What is Daayra movie about?
Daayra is a crime thriller about two police officers, DCP Raman Kumar and DCP Ajooni Kohli, who have different views of justice while dealing with a controversial case involving a police encounter.
2. When was Daayra released?
Daayra was released in Indian cinemas on September 18, 2026.
3. Who is the director of Daayra?
The film is directed by Meghna Gulzar. She is also credited as one of the writers.
4. Who are the lead actors in Daayra?
The film stars Kareena Kapoor Khan as DCP Ajooni Kohli and Prithviraj Sukumaran as DCP Raman Kumar.
5. Is Daayra based on a true story?
Daayra is officially described as inspired by true events. It is a fictional film rather than a documentary account of a real case.
6. What is the runtime of Daayra?
The runtime of Daayra is approximately 143 minutes, or 2 hours and 23 minutes.
7. What is the genre of Daayra?
Daayra is primarily a crime drama and thriller, with its story focused on investigation, justice, police procedure and accountability.
8. Is Daayra available on OTT?
As of September 19, 2026, an official OTT platform and streaming date for Daayra have not been confirmed. Current listings show the OTT information as TBA.
9. Who wrote Daayra?
The screenplay is credited to Yash Keswani, Sima Agarwal and Meghna Gulzar.
10. Is Daayra worth watching?
If you enjoy serious crime dramas dealing with justice, police investigations and moral questions, Daayra is worth considering. Its performances and central conflict are among its strengths, although viewers should be prepared for a relatively measured pace and a screenplay that has received mixed critical reactions.