by Daayra is a Hindi crime drama directed by Meghna Gulzar, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film revolves around a disturbing criminal case and the investigation that follows, while also examining the difference between legal procedure and the public demand for immediate justice.
The film was released in theatres on September 18, 2026. With a runtime of around 143 minutes and an A certificate, Daayra is aimed at adult audiences and deals with mature subject matter.
Daayra Release Date & Movie Details
Daayra was released in Indian cinemas on September 18, 2026.
The movie brings together Meghna Gulzar with Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran for a police drama built around a controversial case. Rather than following a conventional hero-versus-villain structure, the story places two senior police officers on different sides of an investigation.
Daayra Movie Details
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie | Daayra |
| Release Date | September 18, 2026 |
| Language | Hindi |
| Genre | Crime, Drama, Thriller |
| Director | Meghna Gulzar |
| Lead Cast | Kareena Kapoor Khan, Prithviraj Sukumaran |
| Characters | DCP Ajooni Kohli, DCP Raman Kumar |
| Runtime | Approximately 143 minutes |
| Certification | A |
| Music | Amit Trivedi |
| Lyrics | Gulzar |
| Production | Junglee Pictures, Pen Studios |
The screenplay is credited to Meghna Gulzar, Sima Agarwal and Yash Keswani.
Daayra Cast & Characters
Kareena Kapoor Khan as DCP Ajooni Kohli
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays DCP Ajooni Kohli, an investigating officer who is assigned to examine a controversial police encounter.
Her character approaches the case through procedure and evidence. As the investigation moves forward, she has to examine not only the original crime but also the actions taken by the police afterward.
Prithviraj Sukumaran as DCP Raman Kumar
Prithviraj Sukumaran plays DCP Raman Kumar, a senior police officer whose approach to the case is very different from Ajooni’s.
Raman’s actions are connected to the encounter at the centre of the film. His character represents the argument that conventional legal processes can sometimes fail victims and that decisive police action may appear to provide a faster form of justice.
The contrast between Raman and Ajooni forms the backbone of the movie.
Supporting Cast
The supporting cast includes Jitendra Joshi, Kshitee Jog, Kanwaljeet Singh, Sandeep Kulkarni, Trupti Khamkar and other performers.
Among the supporting performances, critics have particularly discussed Kshitee Jog’s portrayal of Ragini’s mother and the emotional weight she brings to the story.
Daayra Story & Plot
Spoiler-free section
The film begins after a young woman, Ragini Poojari, becomes the victim of a brutal crime. Four men are accused, and DCP Raman Kumar and his team subsequently kill the suspects in a police encounter.
The incident receives public approval, but questions soon arise about whether the encounter followed the law.
DCP Ajooni Kohli is brought in to investigate what happened. Her work takes her back through the events surrounding the original crime, the suspects and the police operation.
This creates two connected investigations: one concerning the crime against Ragini and another concerning the police encounter involving the accused.
The story therefore shifts attention from simply identifying criminals to examining how institutions respond when public anger, police action and legal procedure collide.
The film’s central conflict comes from the contrasting positions of Ajooni and Raman. One insists on due process, while the other represents a more forceful response to a system that he believes has failed victims.
Is Daayra Based on a True Story?
Yes, Daayra is inspired by real events, but it should not be treated as a documentary or an exact recreation of a real case.
Several reports have connected the film’s premise to the 2019 Hyderabad rape-and-murder case and the subsequent police encounter involving the accused. At the same time, the film uses fictional characters and a fictionalised setting to construct its own narrative.
That distinction matters because viewers may recognise similarities with real events, but the characters and dramatic situations in the movie should not automatically be assumed to represent actual individuals.
Direction, Screenplay & Performances
Meghna Gulzar approaches the subject as a procedural drama rather than turning it into a conventional action film.
The investigation is built around details of the case and the opposing views of the two officers. This allows the screenplay to spend time establishing why Raman and Ajooni see the same situation differently.
However, published reviews have disagreed about how effectively the screenplay develops those ideas.
India Today found the film’s central questions compelling but argued that the screenplay does not push the material far enough and loses some momentum.
The Indian Express also praised Prithviraj’s restrained performance while questioning how effectively Kareena’s character is developed within the screenplay.
At the same time, NDTV was more positive about the performances and described the film as a police drama that combines thriller elements with a procedural investigation.
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s Performance
Kareena’s Ajooni is written as a composed officer whose professional position requires her to question the encounter.
The role depends more on authority, dialogue and investigation than on physical action. Some early responses have praised her presence, while other reviews have argued that the screenplay does not give her character enough depth.
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Performance
Prithviraj has received comparatively strong attention from several reviewers for his portrayal of Raman Kumar.
The character could easily have been written as a straightforward antagonist, but the performance attempts to show why Raman believes his actions are justified. The Indian Express, for example, described his performance as contained and effective.
That makes Raman an important part of the film’s central debate.
Daayra Review
This section summarises published critical responses rather than presenting an independent review.
Daayra has received a mixed critical response since its theatrical release.
One of the recurring points in reviews is the film’s central idea. Critics have generally recognised that the story has a strong subject: it places a conventional criminal investigation alongside questions about police encounters, due process and public pressure.
The disagreement is more about execution.
India Today described the film as having important ideas but suggested that its final impact is weaker than the subject demands.
The Indian Express praised Prithviraj’s performance but was more critical of the way Kareena’s character is handled.
Hindustan Times highlighted the film’s morally complicated subject while noting that its opening portion can feel slow.
Meanwhile, NDTV gave a more favourable assessment of the lead performances and the film’s procedural approach.
The result is a film that has generated discussion without receiving a completely uniform critical response. For audiences interested in police procedurals and socially focused crime dramas, its subject may be more important than its conventional thriller elements.
Daayra Runtime, Certification & Music
Daayra has a runtime of approximately 143 minutes, making it a little over two hours long.
The movie carries an A certificate, reflecting its mature themes and disturbing subject matter.
The music is composed by Amit Trivedi, with lyrics by Gulzar.
The musical side of the film is secondary to the investigation and character drama, keeping the overall presentation focused on the story rather than turning it into a song-heavy commercial film.
Who Should Watch Daayra?
Daayra is primarily suited to viewers who enjoy:
Police and investigative dramas
Crime thrillers inspired by real events
Films dealing with legal and ethical questions
Character-driven stories
Serious Hindi cinema
It may not be the right choice for viewers expecting a fast-paced action thriller with constant twists.
The A certificate should also be considered before watching, particularly because the film deals with sexual violence, murder and police violence.
Final Thoughts
Daayra combines a police investigation with a broader examination of procedure, authority and accountability. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran lead the film as two officers whose differing approaches become central to the story.
With its mature subject matter, investigative tone and 143-minute runtime, the film is primarily aimed at viewers who enjoy serious crime dramas rather than conventional action thrillers.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was Daayra released?
Daayra was released in Indian theatres on September 18, 2026.
Who directed Daayra?
The film was directed by Meghna Gulzar.
Who plays Ajooni Kohli in Daayra?
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays DCP Ajooni Kohli.
Who plays Raman Kumar?
Prithviraj Sukumaran plays DCP Raman Kumar.
Is Daayra based on a true story?
Daayra is inspired by real events, particularly the 2019 Hyderabad case and the police encounter that followed, but the movie presents a fictionalised story and characters.
How long is Daayra?
The film has a runtime of approximately 143 minutes.
What is Daayra’s certificate?
Daayra has an A certificate in India.
Who composed the music for Daayra?
Amit Trivedi composed the music, while Gulzar is credited for the lyrics.
Is Daayra suitable for family viewing?
Because of its mature subject matter and A certification, it is intended for adult audiences rather than general family viewing.
What genre is Daayra?
Daayra is primarily a crime drama and investigative thriller directed by Meghna Gulzar.
