Daayraa review: Kareena Kapoor, Prithviraj face off in a law-vs-morality thriller

Director Meghna Gulzar's new film "Daayraa" portrays a sharp conflict within the law and the justice system. It features two police officers pitted against each other, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The ideological clash between the two, and the chemistry of their performances, forms the core of this crime thriller, which makes the viewer think. As the story progresses, the gaps in the justice system and public pressure come to the fore. The film also raises the question of whether justice, which requires a wait, should have to be waited for at all.

On the performances, Kareena Kapoor Khan, as DCP Ajuni, delivers a restrained yet powerful performance, keeping aggression in check. After "The Buckingham Murders", this is another mature and serious performance from Kareena. Prithviraj Sukumaran, meanwhile, does justice to DCP Raman, a character caught in a moral dilemma. His calm but intense acting style, and his on-screen professional rivalry with Kareena, take the film to another level. Supporting actors Kanwaljit Singh, Trupti Khamkar and Kshitee Jog also sustain the tension and gravity of the story in small but important roles.

On the direction, after "Talvar" and "Raazi", the screenplay Meghna Gulzar has written with Sima Agarwal and Yash Keswani focuses more on moral complexity than on easy answers. In some places the emotional impact of the crime overshadows the characters' personal journeys, and the legal process could have felt a little more natural, but the direction does not feel slack anywhere.

"Daayraa", a much-awaited film, releases in theatres on September 18. Bollywood actress Kareena Kapoor Khan and actor Prithviraj Sukumaran play the lead roles, while Kanwaljit Singh, Trupti Khamkar and Kshitee Jog appear in important supporting roles. The story and screenplay have been written by director Meghna Gulzar along with Sima Agarwal and Yash Keswani.

"Daayraa" has been produced by Vineet Jain and Dhaval Jain, and is being presented under the banners of Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios. A strong star cast, experienced direction and reputed production houses have generated curiosity about the film among audiences. "Daayraa" is not just a crime-investigation film, but one that holds up a mirror to society and the justice system. Honest performances, social awareness and Meghna Gulzar's thought-provoking direction make it worth watching in theatres.