The trailer of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran-starrer Daayra was released on Monday, offering a glimpse into a crime drama centred on juvenile crime, justice and the moral complexities surrounding an investigation.
Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the film features Kareena and Prithviraj as senior police officers who find themselves on opposing sides while investigating a case that has triggered widespread public outrage.
According to the makers, Daayra is "inspired by true events."
The story begins in the aftermath of a crime that sparks nationwide anger and sets two separate investigations in motion.
As the probe progresses, DCP Ajooni Kohli, played by Kareena, and DCP Raman Kumar, portrayed by Prithviraj, approach the case from different perspectives.
The makers said the film explores how the two officers navigate the same system while dealing with questions surrounding duty, justice and the distinction between right and wrong.
Kareena spoke about the experience of working with Gulzar and taking on a character that challenged her as an actor.
"What I loved about working with Meghna is that she makes you question everything you think you know about a character. There's so much thought behind every detail, but she never takes away your instinct as an actor. Playing DCP Ajooni Kohli stayed with me... because she pushed me into a space I hadn't really explored before, and at this stage in my career, that's always exciting. And then to have Prithviraj opposite me was such a pleasure. He's an incredibly intelligent actor... very present, very instinctive... and there was an ease to working together that I really enjoyed. This was one of those films where the people you're surrounded by make the experience that much richer."
Prithviraj, meanwhile, said it was the complexity of his character that attracted him to the project.
"What drew me to DCP Raman Kumar was the complexity beneath his composed exterior and the questions he finds himself grappling with during the investigation. What I admire is how the film maintains that objectivity right till the very end, allowing the audience to form their own perspective. Meghna Gulzar is a filmmaker whose craft I have closely followed and Daayra gave me the opportunity to work with her. It was a rewarding experience and working with Kareena made the journey even more special. I hope the audience connects with the world we have created, a story that is gripping and deeply human."
Meghna Gulzar On The Film’s Moral Grey Areas
For Meghna Gulzar, Daayra is not a straightforward story of good versus evil.
According to the filmmaker, the narrative moves beyond clear-cut definitions of right and wrong and instead examines the grey areas surrounding the characters and their choices.
She shared, " It explores the grey and dismantles it. As a filmmaker, that grey space is always challenging, and yet compelling - where characters make choices, live with them, and the audience is left to engage with what unfolds. The main protagonists of Daayra are brought to life with towering performances by Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. I'm grateful that I got this dynamic combination of actors, along with an exceptional ensemble cast, to explore the delicate lines of law and justice that traverse the story of Daayra. I am very excited to share this world of grey with the audience and welcome them into it!"
Daayra is scheduled to release in cinemas on September 18, 2026.