Archive · 19 Sep 2026
Daayra Delivers an Unsparing, Ambiguous Reckoning With Justice
Daayra is a serious film about a young woman who disappears and is later connected to a terrible crime.
The story also shows how the police respond to her family.
Two police officers disagree about what justice should mean.
One believes in following the law.
The other thinks punishment may need to go beyond legal rules.
The victim’s mother says that arresting the criminals does not end the family’s struggle.
The film does not give viewers an easy answer about right and wrong.
Instead, it asks whether any punishment can truly repair such a tragedy.
Meghna Gulzar’s Daayra examines gang rape, murder, police apathy and the limits of justice.
The story follows a working woman who disappears while retrieving glasses for her younger brother.
Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran play police officers with sharply different views of justice.
The film refuses a clear moral resolution, leaving viewers to weigh punishment, law and closure.
Kshitee Jog’s performance as the victim’s mother underscores that the struggle for justice continues after arrests.
- Who
- The film centers on a missing working woman, her family, two police officers, and the accused criminals; it was directed by Meghna Gulzar.
- What
- Daayra is a film about gang rape, murder, police apathy, justice and moral ambiguity.
- Where
- The review says the story is apparently based on an incident that occurred in Hyderabad some years ago.
- Why
- The film explores the limits of law, punishment and closure after a devastating crime.
Rule of Law
Retributive Justice
Meaning of justice
Rule of Law
Justice should operate within the boundaries of the law, as represented by one of the police officers.
Retributive Justice
Justice may require punishment beyond ordinary legal procedures, as represented by the other police officer.
Closure after arrests
Rule of Law
Arresting the culprits is a necessary legal step toward justice.
Retributive Justice
The victim’s mother argues that the struggle for justice begins, rather than ends, after arrests.
Moral resolution
Rule of Law
A clear legal or moral answer could offer certainty about right and wrong.
Retributive Justice
The film rejects a simple resolution and leaves viewers to confront the ambiguity themselves.
- Film
- Daayra
- Director
- Meghna Gulzar
- Screenplay
- Meghna Gulzar, Sima Agarwal and Yash Keswani
- Lead police performers
- Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Central crime
- Gang rape and murder
- Notable performance
- Kshitee Jog plays the victim’s mother
- Narrative approach
- The film avoids an unequivocal moral resolution