Not every crime thriller wants you comfortable. Daayra certainly doesn’t — it opens with a difficult question and refuses to let go of it until the credits roll.
Directed by Meghna Gulzar, this one isn’t about catching a criminal. It’s about what happens after society decides it already knows the answer.
Table of Contents
Daayra Movie Review: Overview
Before we get into what works and what doesn’t, here’s the Daayra review at a glance.
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Title | Daayra |
| Director | Meghna Gulzar |
| Writers | Meghna Gulzar, Sima Agarwal, Yash Keswani |
| Cast | Kareena Kapoor Khan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kanwaljit Singh, Achint Kaur, Jitendra Joshi, Kshitee Jog |
| Genre | Hindi Crime Thriller |
| Pinkvilla Rating | 3/5 |
What’s the Story of Daayra?
Daayra follows DCP Ajooni Kohli (Kareena Kapoor Khan), assigned to investigate an encounter carried out by DCP Raman Kumar (Prithviraj Sukumaran) and his team against four men accused of a brutal crime. While much of society celebrates the encounter as swift justice, Ajooni’s methodical investigation starts pulling at threads nobody wants pulled — delayed justice, institutional accountability, and the uncomfortable question of whether due process should apply even to the guilty.
What Works — and What Doesn’t
The film’s biggest strength is its refusal to pick a side. Ajooni’s commitment to procedure and Raman’s belief in his own justice are both given genuine weight, and the screenplay keeps momentum without dragging out its central conflict. The technical work — cinematography, editing, and background score — stays in service of the story rather than showing off.
That said, the film’s unrelenting intensity can be draining. There’s little breathing room across the runtime, and it demands patience since it layers its moral questions rather than delivering a conventional thriller pace.
Performances That Carry the Weight
Kareena Kapoor Khan brings restraint and authority to Ajooni without leaning on cop-drama clichés, while Prithviraj Sukumaran gives Raman a quiet, imposing conviction. Kshitee Jog stands out in support, alongside Jitendra Joshi, Kanwaljit Singh, and Achint Kaur, all grounding the film’s world in believability.
For more on the film’s build-up, our Daayra trailer breakdown covers what to expect before you watch, and if crime dramas are your thing, don’t miss our best Bollywood thrillers of 2026 roundup.
Conclusion
Daayra earns a solid 3/5 for asking a question it never fully answers: where does justice end and injustice begin? Meghna Gulzar approaches the material with the same seriousness she’s known for, per Pinkvilla’s official review, making this a film that lingers well after the credits.
FAQs
1. Is Daayra worth watching?
Yes — Daayra earns a 3/5 for its layered writing and strong performances from Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, though its heavy, unrelenting tone may feel emotionally exhausting for some viewers.
2. What is Daayra about?
Daayra is a Hindi crime thriller about a police investigation into an encounter killing, exploring questions of justice, accountability, and morality rather than a straightforward good-versus-evil narrative.
