Daayra hit cinemas today, directed by Meghna Gulzar and pairing Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran on screen for the first time.
The crime thriller follows the investigation of a rape case and the alleged encounter killing of four accused men, examining justice from multiple angles.
Kareena Kapoor Khan’s performance as police officer Ajooni has been praised for its restraint and quiet authority.
The 143-minute film has drawn strong reviews, with ratings ranging from 3.5 to 4 stars among critics.
Critic Ramesh Bala called it a ‘gripping investigative thriller backed by a solid police procedural,’ praising both lead actors.
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.
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays a police officer named Ajooni, with reviewers noting her performance leans into quiet authority rather than the aggressive cop archetype common in Hindi crime dramas.
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.
Regal Cinema, Mumbai (representative image), Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
