Daayra Movie Review: Kareena Kapoor Khan, Prithviraj Sukumaran Film Is a Gripping Crime Thriller

There are some stories that are difficult to watch, not because they are poorly told, but because the reality behind them is deeply disturbing. Meghna Gulzar's Daayra belongs to that category.

Starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Kshitee Jog, Jitendra Joshi, Anuja Sathe, Kanwaljit Singh, Achint Kaur, Seema Azmi, Biswapati Sarkar and others, Daayra is a crime thriller inspired by true events. The film explores a brutal case of rape and murder and, more importantly, examines what happens when that case begins to expose the complicated layers of the police and justice system.

Directed by Meghna Gulzar and written by Meghna Gulzar, Sima Agarwal and Yash Keswani, the film attempts to go beyond the crime itself and look at the people, institutions and mindsets surrounding it.

A Story That Doesn't Look Away

Daayra begins by establishing an emotional connection with the family at the centre of the tragedy. The film gives us a glimpse into a mother's care for her child before taking us into the horrific incident that changes everything.

That transition is important because the film doesn't allow the crime to become merely a plot device.

It makes the audience understand that behind every investigation report, FIR and police file, real people are dealing with trauma, grief and an irreversible loss.

As the investigation progresses, the narrative begins opening up different aspects of the case. The sudden deaths of the accused while in police custody bring another layer of complexity to the story, leading to the involvement of a Special Investigation Team.

This is where Kareena Kapoor Khan's character, DCP Ajooni Kohli, enters the investigation alongside her team. The film then gradually moves from the crime itself towards questions surrounding accountability, investigation and the functioning of the system. The makers have described the film as an exploration of crime, justice and punishment, with the boundaries between law and justice becoming increasingly complicated.

Screenplay: More Than Just a Crime Investigation

The screenplay is one of the film's more interesting aspects.

Rather than simply asking who committed the crime, Daayra is interested in the larger question of what happens after the crime.

The investigation becomes a window into different perspectives — the affected family, the police, the accused and the larger system surrounding them.

The film also touches upon the internal functioning of the police machinery and the attitudes that can influence FIRs, investigation procedures and reports. These portions give Daayra a layer beyond conventional crime thrillers.

The first half takes its time to establish the incident, the emotional consequences and the circumstances surrounding the investigation. The second half picks up considerably in pace, pushing the investigation forward and revealing more about the mindset of those involved.

That acceleration works in the film's favour, although the pacing across the film isn't entirely consistent.

Kareena Kapoor Khan Brings Authority to the Investigation

Kareena Kapoor Khan gets a role that requires restraint more than flamboyance.

As DCP Ajooni Kohli, she becomes the face of the investigation and carries the responsibility of navigating a complicated case from within the system.

Her performance works particularly well in the investigative portions, where the character needs to maintain composure while confronting increasingly disturbing information.

Kareena doesn't try to overplay the emotional moments. Instead, she allows the character's authority and determination to come through naturally.

Prithviraj Sukumaran Adds Another Layer

Prithviraj Sukumaran, playing DCP Raman Kumar, brings a contrasting presence to the film.

His character occupies an important position within the investigative and institutional framework of the story, and Prithviraj brings the required seriousness to the role.

The combination of Kareena and Prithviraj gives the film a strong central acting presence, particularly as the narrative begins examining different perspectives within the police system.

The Supporting Cast Holds Its Ground

One of Daayra's strengths is its ensemble.

Kshitee Jog, Jitendra Joshi, Anuja Sathe, Kanwaljit Singh, Achint Kaur, Seema Azmi and Biswapati Sarkar, among others, contribute to the film's larger world.

None of these performances feels completely detached from the central investigation. Their presence helps create the institutional environment in which the story unfolds.

For a film dealing with such a serious subject, that ensemble approach is important because the story isn't dependent on just one or two characters.

Meghna Gulzar's Direction

Meghna Gulzar has repeatedly shown an interest in stories rooted in real-world conflicts, institutions and historical or social realities. With Daayra, she once again chooses a subject where the crime is only the starting point.

Her direction keeps the film grounded rather than turning it into a conventional commercial thriller.

The film's strongest moments come when it allows the emotional consequences of the case to sit with the audience rather than rushing towards the next revelation.

At the same time, there are places where the narrative could have maintained a more consistent rhythm. The second half is noticeably faster and more investigative, while the earlier portions are comparatively measured.

Still, Gulzar's approach ensures that the film remains focused on its larger questions about crime, justice, accountability and the functioning of the system.

Technical Aspects

The film also benefits from its technical team. Saurabh Goswami serves as cinematographer, while Charu Shree Roy handles editing. Amit Trivedi has composed the music, with lyrics by Gulzar, while Ketan Sodha contributes to the background score.

The technical treatment largely supports the serious tone of the narrative rather than overpowering it.

Final Verdict

Daayra is not an easy film to watch, and that is partly because of the subject it chooses to confront.

It is a film about a brutal crime, but it is equally interested in what happens after the crime — the trauma of the affected family, the investigation, the police machinery, the questions around custody and the complicated relationship between law and justice.

The film becomes more engaging as the investigation progresses, particularly in the second half, where the pace increases and the darker aspects of the case begin to emerge.

While Daayra doesn't completely deliver a uniformly gripping experience throughout, it succeeds in creating a serious investigative drama that gives its subject enough emotional and systemic context.

Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran anchor the film well, while the supporting cast adds considerable weight to the narrative. Meghna Gulzar's direction keeps the film grounded and avoids turning a disturbing real-world-inspired case into mere spectacle.

For viewers who enjoy crime thrillers, investigative dramas and films that explore the relationship between crime, law and justice, Daayra is worth considering.