Plot ⭐⭐⭐☆☆
DCP Raman Kumar becomes a public hero after his team kills four men accused of assaulting and murdering 24-year-old Ragini Poojari. Questions about whether the encounter was staged bring Internal Vigilance officer Ajooni Kohli to Suryapur. Her investigation reveals ignored complaints, jurisdictional excuses, missing CCTV footage and repeated police negligence.
Overview
Meghna Gulzar’s Daayra is a restrained police drama examining institutional failure, encounter justice and society’s attitude towards women. Starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film releases on September 18, 2026.
Performances
Kareena gives a composed and authoritative performance as Ajooni without turning her into a conventional hero. Prithviraj convincingly portrays Raman as an officer who believes immediate punishment works better than a failed judicial system. Kshitee Jog is deeply moving as Ragini’s mother. Jitendra Joshi and Biswapati Sarkar provide reliable support, while Kanwaljit Singh receives limited material.
Technical Aspects
Meghna handles the procedural portions with restraint and clarity. The police-station sequences effectively expose bureaucratic indifference. However, the expected battle of principles between Ajooni and Raman never develops enough dramatic intensity.
Music
The restrained background score complements the serious atmosphere without overpowering the investigation or emotional moments.
Editing
The narrative remains steady, but Ajooni’s personal history needed more screen time. The subdued final confrontation weakens the payoff after a lengthy build-up.
Positives
- Strong performances by Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Relevant questions about justice and police accountability
- Effective investigative and police-station sequences
- Kshitee Jog’s emotionally powerful performance
- Realistic portrayal of institutional negligence
Negatives
- Central conflict lacks dramatic intensity
- Ajooni’s personal story remains underdeveloped
- Limited suspense in the investigation
- Final confrontation feels weak
- Climax delivers less impact than expected
Analysis
Daayra presents due process and encounter justice as two responses to a broken system. It successfully creates anger over Ragini’s treatment but avoids pushing its characters into truly uncomfortable territory. The film is sincere, relevant and watchable, yet its cautious approach leaves the central moral conflict without the required emotional force.
Bottomline: Muted Impact
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ (3/5)
