Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Prithviraj, Kareena Discuss Cinema’s Influence and Social Reality
Prithviraj, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Meghna Gulzar talked about how movies affect people.
They agreed that cinema can influence society.
Prithviraj also said movies are shaped by the world around them.
Meghna said films sometimes show problems to help people think about fixing them.
She added that audiences are responsible for how they understand movies.
Prithviraj said Daayra comes from real issues in today’s society.
Kareena said people may understand the film differently when they watch it at different times.
She hopes viewers will watch it more than once and think carefully about it.
Daayra is scheduled to come out on September 18.
Prithviraj Sukumaran said cinema influences society but also reflects the realities around it.
Meghna Gulzar argued that films depicting social problems often aim to encourage change, not negative behavior.
The filmmakers said audiences also share responsibility for how they interpret and respond to cinema.
Prithviraj said Daayra is relevant because it emerges from realities in contemporary society.
Daayra, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj, is scheduled for release on September 18.
- Who
- Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kareena Kapoor Khan and filmmaker Meghna Gulzar discussed cinema’s social influence.
- What
- They debated filmmakers’ responsibility, audience response and whether cinema reflects or shapes society.
- When
- The discussion took place at the 16th edition of The Indian Express’s Expresso series; Daayra is scheduled for release on September 18.
- Where
- At The Indian Express’s Expresso series; the articles do not specify the event’s location.
- Why
- They were discussing the themes and social relevance of their upcoming film Daayra.
Cinema Shapes Society
Cinema Reflects Society
Filmmakers’ responsibility
Cinema Shapes Society
Meghna Gulzar said cinema has responsibility, including when it portrays positive values, and that audiences also have responsibility for what they absorb.
Cinema Reflects Society
Prithviraj Sukumaran acknowledged cinema’s influence but said it cannot be separated from the society that inspires it.
Portraying social problems
Cinema Shapes Society
Meghna said negative subjects are depicted to help address or fix social problems, rather than to promote them.
Cinema Reflects Society
Prithviraj said Daayra’s relevance comes from the real conditions that made such a film necessary.
Audience reaction
Cinema Shapes Society
Kareena Kapoor Khan said viewers may develop different emotions and interpretations when they revisit Daayra over time.
Cinema Reflects Society
Prithviraj distinguished cinema’s influence from audiences directly copying everything they see on screen.
- Film
- Daayra
- Director
- Meghna Gulzar
- Lead cast
- Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Kareena’s role
- DCP Ajooni Kohli
- Prithviraj’s role
- DCP Raman Kumar
- Release date
- September 18
- Producers
- Pen Studios and Junglee Music