Archive · 17 Sep 2026
Daayra Review: Kareena, Prithviraj Lead Divisive Crime Thriller
Daayra is a serious movie about a terrible crime and a disputed police shooting.
A young girl goes missing, and her burned body is later found.
Police catch four people accused of the crime, but the suspects are killed in an encounter.
The police say they acted because they were defending themselves, while questions arise about whether the encounter was planned.
DCP Raman believes strong action can deliver justice quickly.
DCP Ajooni believes the law and courts must decide punishment.
The movie shows their different ideas without making the conflict completely simple.
Reviewers liked the acting and tense investigation, but some felt the ending and certain character stories were not developed enough.
Daayra follows a rape-murder investigation and a controversial police encounter involving four accused men.
Prithviraj Sukumaran plays DCP Raman, while Kareena Kapoor Khan portrays SIT investigator DCP Ajooni Kohli.
The film contrasts Raman’s forceful approach to justice with Ajooni’s faith in judicial procedure.
Reviews praise the tense direction, performances, grounded investigation, cinematography, editing and background score.
Critics differ on the payoff, with ratings ranging from 3/5 to 3.5 stars and some calling the character development uneven.
- Who
- DCP Raman Kumar, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran, leads the original investigation; DCP Ajooni Kohli, played by Kareena Kapoor Khan, leads the SIT probe.
- What
- Daayra is a crime thriller about a rape-murder case, a controversial police encounter and the conflict between revenge, force and legal justice.
- When
- The film is scheduled for theatrical release on September 18, 2026.
- Where
- In theatres; the story is set in the context of events across India, according to one review’s cited clarification.
- Why
- An SIT investigates after questions arise about whether the police shooting was genuine self-defense or an unlawful planned encounter.
Praise And Ambiguity
Criticism And Limited Payoff
Story and moral conflict
Praise And Ambiguity
The film presents Raman and Ajooni as opposing ideas of justice and avoids immediately declaring one side right or wrong.
Criticism And Limited Payoff
One review argues that the ideological conflict is more clearly stated than meaningfully explored, leaving the moral debate less layered than it could be.
Performances and character focus
Praise And Ambiguity
Reviews broadly praise Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Kshitee Jog, especially Sukumaran’s controlled performance and Jog’s portrayal of the victim’s mother.
Criticism And Limited Payoff
Critics say the writing invests more in Raman than Ajooni, gives Ajooni less screen time and leaves both officers’ personal histories underdeveloped.
Ending and overall impact
Praise And Ambiguity
Supportive reviews call the film tense, thought-provoking and powerful, praising its ability to leave audiences with difficult questions.
Criticism And Limited Payoff
A more critical review says the final Raman-Ajooni confrontation is muted and underwhelming, while some sections feel stretched and the intended payoff fizzles.
- Film
- Daayra
- Director
- Meghna Gulzar
- Lead cast
- Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Runtime
- 143 minutes, or 2 hours 23 minutes
- Release date
- September 18, 2026
- Review ratings
- 3.5 stars in one review and 3/5 in another
- Music
- Music by Amit Trivedi, with background score by Ketan Sodha
- Where to watch
- In theatres
Sources
Daayra Review: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kareena Kapoor Khan Film Sparks Big Ideas But Offers Little Payoff
Daayra movie review: Kareena Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran shine in Meghna Gulzar’s cop-versus-cop crime thriller
