Daayra hits theatres: Kareena Kapoor, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s first film together

Meghna Gulzar’s Daayra hit theatres today, bringing Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran together on screen for the very first time.

The film investigates a rape case and the alleged encounter killing of four accused men, exploring the moral complexity of justice delivered outside the courtroom.

Reviewers have praised Kareena Kapoor Khan’s performance as police officer Ajooni for its understated authority, distinct from the genre’s usual aggressive cop portrayals.

Clocking in at 143 minutes, the film has received strong reviews, with ratings ranging from 3.5 to 4 stars.

Critic Ramesh Bala described the film as a ‘gripping investigative thriller backed by a solid police procedural,’ praising both lead performances.

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.

Both lead actors have been praised for holding the film together through restraint, with the story avoiding easy answers about who is right in a cop-versus-cop conflict.

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.

Regal Cinema, Mumbai (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0