Verdict: Daayra is a serious, well-acted crime drama that raises tough questions about justice, but a slow middle portion and an uneven screenplay stop it from becoming a complete knockout. Worth a watch for fans of gritty, thought-provoking cinema, but it may test the patience of those looking for a fast-paced thriller.
Pros:
Strong performances from Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran
A hard-hitting, thought-provoking story about justice and morality
A powerful, emotionally intense climax that many viewers are praising
Cons:
Slow pacing, especially in the second half
Uneven screenplay with some noticeable gaps in logic
Junglee Pictures, PEN Studios, PEN Marudhar Cine Entertainment
Release Date
18 September 2026
Country
India
Language
Hindi
Genre
Crime, Thriller, Drama
Censor Rating
A
Runtime
143 minutes
The film follows a young girl who goes missing from a highway. Her family reaches out to the police, but the case is not taken seriously at first. The next day, her body is found, and the case turns into a major media story.
DCP Raman Kumar (Prithviraj Sukumaran) is put in charge of catching the culprits. His team arrests four men within days, but before they can be produced in court, the accused are killed in what the police call a shootout in self defence.
While many celebrate the outcome, a section of society questions whether it was actually a staged encounter. To investigate this, a Special Investigation Team is formed, headed by DCP Ajooni Kohli (Kareena Kapoor Khan), who believes in following the law strictly, even if it takes longer.
This sets up a clash between two officers who both want justice but disagree completely on how to get there. Without giving away the ending, the film builds towards a heavy, emotional climax that asks the audience to think about which side they’d actually take.
Reactions on X, BookMyShow, and Instagram since the release have been mixed, but leaning slightly positive for the performances and message, even where the pacing is criticised.
A good number of viewers have praised Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, saying their contrasting characters and approaches to justice make the film’s core conflict genuinely interesting.
Several people specifically called out the climax, describing the last twenty-five minutes as intense and emotionally moving, with some even calling it one of the stronger endings Bollywood has delivered in a while.
Disclaimer: This review is based on publicly available audience reactions and discussions on X at the time of writing. Individual opinions may vary.
Kadir is a box office reporter and film analyst from Hojai, Assam, and the founder of Tenvow.com. Since 2015, he has been into box office reporting. With a focus on box office collections, OTT trends, and movie analysis, Kadir delivers accurate, data driven insights into the business of films.
