‘Daayra’ Movie Review: Gripping Crime Drama With Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Clash That Shows Mirror to Society
Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran shine in Meghna Gulzar's thought-provoking 'Daayra'. The film is a sincere attempt and a gripping crime drama that makes you think. Rather than expecting a thrilling police procedural, go in for some quiet food for thought that will have some moments stay with you. As they say, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’.
Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios’ production Daayra released in theatres on September 18, 2026. Starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran as police officers with differing views on justice and legal procedures, the Meghna Gulzar directorial tackles the growing societal crime of gang-rape and murder in India. Kareena Kapoor Khan as a cop, hits different! We saw her as an investigative officer in the UK-based story of The Buckingham Murders (2023), her production that released on Netflix. As Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Ajooni Kohli in Daayra, Kareena returns as a stern but law-abiding Special Investigation Team (SIT) police officer. Let’s see what the film is about.
‘Daayra’ Trailer – Watch Video:
What Is ‘Daayra’ About?
Daayra begins in the aftermath of a gang-rape case that bears similarities to the 2019 gang-rape and murder of a veterinary doctor in Hyderabad, India. The film begins with people distributing sweets and celebrating on the streets, while praising police officer DCP Raman (Prithviraj Sukumaran) for ‘serving justice’ in the rape and murder case. All the four suspects of the gruesome crime are now dead. However, there are allegations of a staged police encounter. DCP Ajooni Kohli is assigned the task of investigating the lapses of Raman and his team, if any.
Trigger Warning - Crime Scene Difficult to Watch
While the film talks about the evils of society and how the delay in investigating such cases and lacunae in the system lead to more such crimes, it also throws light on the dilemma faced by investigators. Through the crime’s investigation by Raman and his team’s questioning by Ajooni, Daayra reconstructs the happenings of the fateful night when an innocent girl was trapped by four men in a truck, assaulted, murdered and her body burnt. The crime scenes are not easy to watch and will make you squirm and keep you on the edge until the film end. But the scenes are meant to be unsettling. Trigger warning.
Daayra is a sincere attempt, with intricate details of the case and investigation adding to the proceedings. There are always the incompetent police officers, the jurisdiction issues, the personal life of the cops. Or simply, the ‘blame it on the girl and her character’ attitude. ‘Brown’ Series Review: Karisma Kapoor, Jisshu Sengupta, Surya Sharma Serve Masterclass in Acting in Gripping Murder Mystery (LatestLY Exclusive).
Where Is the Juvenile Accused of 2012 Nirbhaya Delhi Gang-Rape and Murder Case?
In Daayra, there is a reference to the 2012 Nirbhaya Delhi gang-rape and murder case, where the juvenile accused did not get the death penalty. Because he was a minor, he was allowed to ‘reform’ at a correctional home, assume a new identity and begin a new life. He is shown in Daayra, and full marks to Meghna Gulzar for it! For the public always wondered where the juvenile accused is. Some reports said he was in Goa, India, living with a new name. The law takes its course, but the janta does not want such elements in society, who can commit such a crime again.
This thought is echoed in Daayra. Raman fumes looking at the 2012 case juvenile roaming around freely, escaping the remand home. The 2019 case also has a minor accused, and Raman thinks of him. It is also the interaction with the victim’s family and those that with the unremorseful criminals that irks Raman further, and he decides to take matters in his own hands. What happens next forms the film.
‘Daayra’ Stands by Itself
Please do not compare Daayra to Meghna Gulzar’s Talvar (2015), which was based on the 2008 killing of the 14-year-old girl Aarushi Talwar in Noida, India. Daayra should not be compared to Shefali Shah’s Delhi Crime (2019), Taapsee Pannu’s Assi (2026) or any other crime drama of sexual assault films or series either. Neither should Daayra be likened to true crime series like Crime Patrol or Savdhaan India. Or hard-hitting police procedurals like Visaranai (2015), which may have more violence.
Because sexual assault, whether against a female or male, is a real crime and not entertainment. There are so many cases of rape and murder reported every day that we have become immune to the news. Immune as viewers, too. Therefore, we look for more realistic depiction on the screen. But it’s a crime – a serious crime. A daughter gone! A family destroyed. Criminals unafraid, as usual. So, each project made on the topic should be welcomed. Daayra should be watched for what it wishes to convey about such crimes and our society.
Performances in 'Daayra'
Kareena Kapoor Khan excels as a seasoned special investigation officer in Daayra. There is no drama to her character, no bossy attitude to her subordinates, no forced cinematic expressions or tropes. Just a cop who knows her job and gets it done with a firm stance, even polite and said with a smile. The actress is a natural in this role and should definitely play a cop again!
Prithviraj Sukumaran as the ‘always on duty’ officer with anger issues shines in Daayra. He tells it like it is and has an excellent way of investigation. Whether his way of justice is morally right or not, is for the viewers to decide. The supporting cast members also deliver excellent performances, including the cops and the criminals. Exclusive: Prithviraj Sukumaran on ‘Daayra’, Working With Kareena Kapoor Khan and Meghna Gulzar, Bollywood Vs South Divide, and More.
Conclusion and Verdict
The conclusion to Daayra has been left open, for the public to judge what is the correct way to justice. The end reminds one of the Sonakshi Sinha-Jyotika movie System (2026). Daayra is a gripping crime drama that makes you think. Rather than expecting a thrilling police procedural, go in for some quiet food for thought that will have some moments stay with you. The law should not be taken into one’s own hands, but justice should also be delivered. As they say, ‘Justice delayed is justice denied’. So, whose side are you on?
Women and Child Helpline Numbers:
Childline India – 1098; Missing Child and Women – 1094; Women’s Helpline – 181; National Commission for Women Helpline – 112; National Commission for Women Helpline Against Violence – 7827170170; Police Women and Senior Citizen Helpline – 1091/1291.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 18, 2026 05:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
