Daayra Review: Can Kareena Crime Thriller Hold Up?

A crime, two cops and a question that refuses to have an easy answer: where does justice end and personal judgement begin? Daayra Film 2026 walks into this uncomfortable space with Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran at the centre. The setup looks promising, the subject carries enough weight to spark debate , and the Daayra official trailer hints at a tense police drama. But does the film turn that promise into a compelling watch? Or does its attempt to look layered take away from the impact of a straightforward story? The answer becomes clearer as Ajooni and Raman’s very different ideas of justice begin to collide.

All About Daayra Film 2026

What is Daayra Really About?

Daayra Hindi crime thriller revolves around DCP Ajooni Kohli IPS, played by Kareena Kapoor, and DCP Raman Kumar IPS, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran. Their methods are different, and that difference drives much of the film. Raman wants quick action when criminals are clearly identified, while Ajooni believes the legal system must be allowed to take its course.

The story begins with a brutal crime involving a young woman. Her family struggles to get the police to respond properly, while the investigation eventually opens another disturbing chapter involving police officers and an alleged fake encounter.

The film keeps returning to one question: who decides the quantum of punishment? Raman’s position is summed up in his statement, “the law has done its duty.” Ajooni sees the meaning of justice differently.

Who Is Part of the Cast of Daayra?

The cast of Daayra film is led by Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran, with a sizeable supporting ensemble filling out the police investigation and family tracks.

• Kareena Kapoor as DCP Ajooni Kohli IPS
• Prithviraj Sukumaran as DCP Raman Kumar IPS
• Pragati Mishra as Ragini Pujari
• Prammod Sanghi as Abhinandan Basu
• Kshitee Jog as Parvati Pujari
• Kanwaljit Singh as Ajooni’s father
• Jitendra Joshi as Inspector Karad
• Trupti Khamkar as SI Jyoti
• Biswapati Sarkar as Commissioner Anand

Prithviraj gets the more layered role, and his restrained performance makes Raman convincing. Jitendra Joshi & Trupti Khamkar also make an impression. Kareena remains controlled as Ajooni, but her character is not developed enough to give the actor the same dramatic scope.

What Works and What Does Not Work?

Let’s understand what worked well and what needs a bit of improvement, in order to make the movie more interesting

The biggest issue is simple: Daayra often tries to appear more complicated than its basic conflict requires. A straightforward investigation could have been made stronger through sharper dialogues and powerful sequences. Instead, certain portions are elongated until their effect wears off.

How Do Direction, Cinematography and Music Hold Up?

Meghna Gulzar returns to crime and investigation with the Daayra movie that clearly wants to question the meaning of justice. The direction has moments where the film feels grounded rather than polished for the sake of appearance. That authentic setting works in its favour.

The cinematography also understands the genre. The post-interval chase sequences use energetic camerawork, while the overall visual treatment keeps the police world relatively earthy.

The editing gives the film some movement, but the writing repeatedly pulls it back. One major example is the crime recreation sequence involving Ajooni. Instead of adding meaningful tension, it feels unnecessarily extended.

The music is another weak point. “Sach Ka Daayra” is written by Gulzar, composed by Amit Trivedi, and sung by B Praak. The film originally had no planned songs, but this track was later added. For this story, however, the music does not become a major strength.

Why Does Daayra Feel Longer Than It Is?

The film has a 143-minute runtime, and that becomes noticeable because the central mystery itself is fairly straightforward. Once the basic events become clear, several scenes continue explaining or recreating things that the viewer has already understood.

That affects the thriller element. The biggest missed opportunity is the promised Ajooni-Raman conflict. The film repeatedly places their ideologies on opposite sides, which makes viewers expect a strong collision. Yet when the two finally come face to face, the moment feels too brief to justify all that build-up.

That is where Daayra film 2026 loses some of its potential. The concept does not need more layers. It needs stronger execution.

When Does Daayra Work Best for Viewers?

The strongest portions are the ones that stay close to the investigation and the family’s ordeal. The police response to the missing-person complaint is uncomfortable because it is presented without unnecessary glamour.

Prithviraj also makes Raman interesting. He does not play the officer as a loud action hero. His belief is direct: waiting endlessly for the system is not justice. Kareena, meanwhile, has a difficult role because Ajooni is written more as a viewpoint than a fully developed character. Her performance remains controlled, but the script does not give her enough dramatic material.

For viewers expecting a conventional thriller after watching the Daayra official trailer, this difference may matter. The film is more interested in the question of justice than in delivering constant suspense.

When Was Daayra Released and How Has It Performed?

Daayra was released in cinemas on 18 September 2026 with an A certificate. According to the box-office figures, the film opened at Rs 90 lakh, with 12% occupancy across 2,283 shows.

That opening also places the film in a difficult recent phase for Kareena Kapoor’s theatrical releases. Her last successful film was Crew, released in 2024. Before that, The Buckingham Murders and Angrezi Medium earned a little over Rs 15 crore each during their theatrical runs.

The film was released alongside Kunal Kemmu’s Vibe, which opened at Rs 1.5 crore from 3,194 shows. Both films received A certificates.

Where Do Prithviraj and Meghna Gulzar Stand?

Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Hindi-film journey has also faced commercial challenges. His Hindi releases include Aiyyaa, Aurangzeb, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Varanasi, Bloody Romeo and Daayra, while Sarzameen was released directly on JioHotstar.

For Meghna Gulzar, Daayra adds another chapter to a career that has seen both commercial successes and misses. Talvar, Raazi and Sam Bahadur performed successfully at the box office, with Raazi remaining her highest-grossing film at Rs 195 crore worldwide, followed by Sam Bahadur at Rs 128 crore.

Daayra, however, feels closer to a missed opportunity. The elements are there, the subject is serious, the actors have the ability, the setting feels real, but what holds it back is the screenplay.

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