Daayra released in theatres today, directed by Meghna Gulzar and bringing together Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran for the first time on screen.
The film investigates a rape case and the alleged encounter killing of four accused men, exploring the moral grey areas around justice.
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s performance as police officer Ajooni has been praised for its quiet authority rather than aggressive theatrics.
At 143 minutes, the film has received strong reviews, with ratings between 3.5 and 4 stars across publications.
Critic Ramesh Bala described Daayra as a ‘gripping investigative thriller backed by a solid police procedural,’ praising both lead performances.
Meghna Gulzar’s earlier film Raazi, also a tense thriller, was a major commercial and critical success and is often cited as a reference point for her directorial style.
The film’s climax has drawn mixed reactions from some critics even as the overall reception remained largely positive.
Daayra released in cinemas nationwide today alongside the regular Friday slate of new film releases in India.
Daayra is directed by Meghna Gulzar, known for previous films including Talvar, Raazi and Sam Bahadur.
The film marks the first time Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran have starred together on screen.
The story follows investigations into a rape case and the alleged encounter killing of four accused men, examining questions of justice and morality.
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays a police officer named Ajooni, with reviewers noting her performance leans into quiet authority rather than the aggressive cop archetype common in Hindi crime dramas.
The film runs 143 minutes and maintains tension through a police-procedural structure rather than dramatic excess.
Reviewers have rated the film between 3.5 and 4 stars, with critic Ramesh Bala calling it a ‘gripping investigative thriller backed by a solid police procedural.’
The film does not shy away from the harsh realities surrounding its central crime, examining the question of justice from multiple perspectives.
Regal Cinema, Mumbai (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
