Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran-starrer Daayra was released today, Friday, September 18. The film is clashing with Kareena’s brother-in-law Kunal Khemu’s directorial Vibe, which also stars her mother-in-law Sharmila Tagore. Daayra tells the tale of two police officers who believe in justice but have very different ideas about how it should be delivered.
Set against the backdrop of a disturbing rape case and its impact on society, the question of right versus wrong intensifies when society comes under pressure. Daayra explores law, accountability, institutional power and the uncomfortable grey area between what is legally right and what may emotionally feel right.
Daayra doesn’t just tell a story, but leaves you questioning where the line between justice and injustice really lies.
Daayra follows DCP Ajooni Kohli, played by Kareena Kapoor Khan, and DCP Raman Kumar, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran. A serious rape case brings their paths together, but their contrasting approaches to justice place them on opposite sides of the system.
Raman believes that criminals responsible for such a heinous act deserve the harshest punishment, even if the process moves beyond conventional legal boundaries. Ajooni, meanwhile, is tasked with investigating an encounter and examining the circumstances surrounding it.
Kareena and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s on-screen camaraderie becomes one of the film’s most engaging elements. Their scenes work because the conflict isn’t simply personal; it is fundamentally about two different interpretations of law, punishment and justice.
The supporting cast, including Kanwaljit Singh, Trupti Khamkar and Kshitee Jog, also adds weight to the proceedings and fits naturally into the film’s tense world.
Many moviegoers who have watched the film have given mixed reactions. Some felt the film becomes dialogue-heavy in the second half, particularly during the investigation into the encounter. Others said the first half was spot on, but the post-interval portion felt dragged and stretched. Early audience reactions have also praised the performances and Meghna Gulzar’s handling of the film’s themes, while some viewers felt the pace loses momentum as the story progresses.
A user wrote, “Daayra takes up an important subject, but the execution fails to create the intended impact. The writing feels flat, and Kareena Kapoor Khan’s performance lacks the emotional depth needed for the character.@PrithviOfficial stands out with a controlled performance and brings some life to the proceedings. However, the slow narrative and lack of emotional connection make #Daayra a disappointing watch overall.”
Another user said, “#Daayra is a tense, hard-hitting thriller that grabs attention early and refuses to let go. #MeghnaGulzar builds a powerful conflict around one uncomfortable question when the demand for instant justice clashes with the rule of law, where does one draw the line The film smartly presents contrasting perspectives through #PrithvirajSukumaran and #KareenaKapoorKhan, making the audience constantly rethink their own stand.Several sequences are genuinely disturbing, while the pre-climax, final conversation and post-ending moments leave a strong impact. #PrithvirajSukumaran is terrific, while #KareenaKapoorKhan delivers a layered performance with complete conviction, she is flawless…..”