Meghna Gulzar says crime-justice theme in her films is coincidence, not design
Ahead of 'Dayra', director Meghna Gulzar says her recurring focus on crime and justice is unplanned, and what draws her is the human element.
Director Meghna Gulzar is returning with another intense, gripping film. Her upcoming movie "Dayra" is set to release soon. After "Talvar" and "Raazi", "Dayra" has revived a familiar question: why do crime, law, the justice system and punishment keep recurring as themes in Meghna Gulzar's films. The director has now broken her silence on this, clarifying that it is not a deliberate choice but purely a coincidence.
Speaking at the press conference for "Dayra", Meghna Gulzar opened up about her journey of choosing films. She said that her films having a backdrop connected to law, justice or crime is purely a coincidence, and not a calculated creative decision on her part. She said that when picking a story, it is not the social or legal framework that draws her, but the core soul of the story and the struggle of the people in it that appeals to her more.
Speaking further about her directorial style, she said that a justice system or crime backdrop only serves to give a story its structure or shape. But for her, the most important thing is the human quotient. She said it matters more to her to portray on screen how a harrowing event or situation affects the psychology, emotions and lives of the people caught up in it. She noted that while audiences may see similarities in the themes of these films, the emotional struggle of the people in each story is different.
Directed by Meghna Gulzar, "Dayra" is a comment on an extremely sensitive subject. The story revolves around the investigation of a controversial police encounter that took place against the backdrop of the brutal assault and abduction of a minor girl. Actress Kareena Kapoor Khan will be seen in the film as DCP Anjuni Kohli, while South superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran will play DCP Raman Kumar. Both police officers will represent two conflicting ideologies and values of justice.
In short, "Dayra" is based on the investigation of a controversial police encounter following the abduction and rape of a minor girl. The film depicts an intense conflict between law, morality and punishment. Veteran actors Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran will represent two different perspectives of justice. The film is set to release on 18 September 2026.
