Meghna Gulzar's Daayra arrives with a premise designed to create discomfort rather than offer easy answers. Starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film puts two police officers on opposite sides of a difficult question: what happens when the idea of justice begins to clash with the law?
The Daayra Movie Review from Bollywood Hungama rates the film 2.5 out of 5 and highlights its premise and performances while pointing to weaknesses in the second half and climax.
Other reviews have been more positive about the film's treatment of justice and its lead performances. India Today, for instance, described the film as having important things to say about institutional failure while arguing that it does not always push its ideas far enough.
That difference in critical response reflects what makes Daayra an interesting film to discuss: its subject matter has clearly connected with reviewers, while opinions differ on how effectively the story ultimately delivers its dramatic payoff.
Kareena Kapoor Plays a Determined Investigating Officer
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays DCP Ajooni Kohli, an officer tasked with investigating a controversial police encounter.
Her character represents the procedural side of justice. Rather than accepting the popular narrative surrounding the encounter, Ajooni begins examining what happened before the four accused men were killed.
The investigation takes her into the circumstances surrounding Ragini Poojari, a young woman whose rape and murder form the emotional foundation of the story.
Kareena's performance has been one of the consistently discussed aspects across reviews. India Today described her portrayal as controlled and precise, particularly in scenes involving Ragini's family.
The performance does not depend heavily on conventional heroic moments. Instead, Ajooni is presented as someone attempting to follow evidence and procedure while dealing with a system that has already failed the victim.
Prithviraj Sukumaran Brings Intensity to the Film
Prithviraj Sukumaran plays DCP Raman Kumar, a police officer whose understanding of justice is dramatically different from Ajooni's.
Raman believes that the conventional system is incapable of delivering the kind of immediate justice society demands after a brutal crime. His actions place him directly against Ajooni's belief in investigation, procedure and accountability.
The character could easily have become a one-dimensional figure, but Prithviraj gives Raman a sense of conviction rather than simply presenting him as a conventional antagonist.
This moral conflict between the two leads forms the heart of the Daayra Movie Review discussion.
The film does not simply divide its characters into good and bad. Instead, it attempts to show why both officers believe they are acting in the interests of justice.
The Film Raises a Difficult Question About Justice
At the centre of Daayra is a question that has no simple answer: should justice always follow established legal procedure, even when the system appears to be failing victims?
Raman's approach represents immediate punishment, while Ajooni's investigation represents faith in due process.
The film's setting makes the conflict even more complicated because the public reaction to the encounter is also important. The police action is celebrated by many as justice, creating a sharp contrast with the questions raised by the investigation.
This allows Meghna Gulzar to examine not only the actions of individual police officers but also the wider social desire for quick punishment.
Several reviewers have noted that this moral conflict is among the film's strongest elements.
Where Daayra Begins to Lose Momentum
The biggest criticism in the Bollywood Hungama review concerns the film's second half and climax.
The first portion establishes the central conflict effectively, building curiosity around the encounter and the investigation. As Ajooni starts reconstructing the events, the story creates a strong procedural foundation.
However, the review argues that the film becomes less effective as it approaches its final confrontation.
India Today's review similarly noted that the eventual clash between Ajooni and Raman does not deliver the level of impact that the setup promises.
This is significant because the entire narrative is built around the ideological difference between the two officers. Their eventual confrontation should therefore provide the emotional and philosophical payoff.
Instead, some critics felt that the moment was comparatively subdued.
The Second Half and Climax Become the Weakest Link
According to the Daayra Movie Review published by Bollywood Hungama, the film impresses with its central idea and performances but falters during its second half and climax.
That criticism is particularly relevant because Daayra spends considerable time establishing the opposing philosophies of its protagonists.
A stronger final act could have pushed those ideas further and forced the audience to confront the consequences of both approaches.
Instead, the resolution may leave some viewers wanting a more powerful collision between the characters.
This does not erase the strengths of the earlier portions, but it affects the overall dramatic impact.
Meghna Gulzar Keeps the Focus on the System
One of the film's notable qualities is its decision to look beyond the crime itself.
Rather than making the investigation simply about identifying perpetrators, Daayra examines the institutional failures that can occur before and after a crime.
The story explores questions around missing complaints, police procedures, evidence and the public's expectations of law enforcement.
That approach is consistent with Meghna Gulzar's interest in stories where individual characters operate within complicated social and institutional structures.
The film is less interested in giving viewers a straightforward hero-versus-villain narrative and more focused on the uncomfortable space between legality, morality and public anger.
Kareena and Prithviraj Carry the Emotional Weight
Even critics who found shortcomings in the screenplay have highlighted the performances.
Kareena brings restraint to Ajooni, while Prithviraj gives Raman an intensity rooted in his character's convictions.
Their contrasting performances make the central debate easier to understand.
The supporting cast also contributes to the film. Reviews have particularly noted Kshitee Jog's performance as Ragini's mother, while Jitendra Joshi and other supporting actors add weight to the investigative narrative.
These performances help keep the story grounded despite the larger questions surrounding justice and institutional accountability.
Daayra Arrives in Theatres on September 18
Daayra is directed by Meghna Gulzar and stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on September 18, 2026.
The film has also received an A certificate from the CBFC, according to Bollywood Hungama's reporting.
With its serious subject, two prominent lead actors and Meghna Gulzar at the helm, the film arrives with expectations beyond those of a conventional crime thriller.
Final Take on Daayra
The overall picture emerging from the reviews is that Daayra has a compelling foundation.
Its strongest elements include the central moral conflict, the performances of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, and the questions it raises about justice and institutional responsibility.
At the same time, the film's second half and climax have attracted criticism for not delivering the full dramatic impact promised by the setup.
That makes the Daayra Movie Review conversation more nuanced than a simple thumbs-up or thumbs-down. The film clearly has ideas worth engaging with, but the execution of its final act may determine how strongly those ideas stay with individual viewers.
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