From Vicky Kaushal to Alia Bhatt: 5 Times ‘Daayra’ Director Meghna Gulzar Transformed A-List Actors
Director Meghna Gulzar has built a reputation for extracting career-defining performances by guiding Bollywood’s top talent into nuanced, uncharted territory. From Vicky Kaushal’s breakout turns in 'Raazi' and 'Sam Bahadur' to Alia Bhatt’s raw intensity, stars like Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran have repeatedly found fresh artistic depth under herlens.
Over the years, Meghna Gulzar has created a space where performances take centre stage, often bringing out nuanced and unexpected sides of her actors. As she brings Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran together for Daayra, here’s a look at some of the memorable performances she has shaped along the way. Ahead of ‘Daayra’, Revisit Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Most Morally Complex Roles.
Alia Bhatt and Vicky Kaushal – ‘Raazi’
Raazi saw Alia Bhatt step into the role of Sehmat, a young woman navigating an extraordinary situation with quiet strength and vulnerability. Vicky Kaushal brought a restrained intensity to Iqbal, showcasing a more nuanced side of his performance.
Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma & Neeraj Kabi – ‘Talvar’
With Talvar, Meghna brought together Irrfan Khan, Konkona Sen Sharma and Neeraj Kabi in a layered investigative drama. Each actor brought a distinct perspective to the story, with Irrfan’s understated performance becoming one of the film’s highlights.
Vicky Kaushal, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra – ‘Sam Bahadur’
In Sam Bahadur, Vicky Kaushal underwent a striking transformation to portray Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, bringing his characteristic charm into a completely different world. Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sanya Malhotra added depth to the film with performances that were equally measured and distinctive.
Kareena Kapoor Khan & Prithviraj Sukumaran – ‘Daayra’
Now, Meghna Gulzar brings together Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran for the first time. Kareena plays DCP Ajooni Kohli, while Prithviraj takes on the role of DCP Raman Kumar.
‘Daayra’ First Look Poster
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With two actors stepping into characters rooted in the world of law enforcement, Daayra marks another opportunity for Meghna to explore new shades of familiar stars — this time bringing together two performers who have never shared the screen before. Meghna Gulzar on Kareena Kapoor's 'Daayra': Authenticity Was at the Heart of Every Character.
Directed by Meghna Gulzar, Daayra is produced by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios and distributed by Pen Marudhar. Written by Yash Keswani, Sima Agarwal and Meghna Gulzar, the film releases in cinemas on 18th September 2026.
