Meghna Gulzar's 'Daayra' Explores the Grey Zone Between Crime and Justice

Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar has opened up about her upcoming project 'Daayra', describing it as a narrative that navigates the complex space between crime and justice. The film, a thriller headlined by Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, centres on a juvenile crime and the subsequent investigation led by Khan's character.

Gulzar explained that the movie goes beyond a simple binary of right and wrong. "There is an aspect of justice and crime, but it's not just about justice and crime. It is about the journey between them," she said, adding that the story explores the path of right, wrong, and truth.

The director emphasised her commitment to authenticity, stating that while she makes the film cinematic, she has not altered the facts from the real incidents that inspired it. "I only use facts. I do make it cinematic, but I never distort the facts," Gulzar noted, calling it a responsibility to present the truth as it is.

Gulzar also praised her lead actors, calling it her good fortune to have two prominent performers from different film industries. She lauded their experience and dedication, noting that both Khan and Sukumaran trusted her vision completely. "They understood the story completely. They knew what the film was trying to say," she said, highlighting their grasp of their characters' motivations.

The film unfolds in the aftermath of a crime that sparks national outrage, setting off a series of events and two investigations. Khan and Sukumaran play senior police officers who navigate the same system with different approaches to duty, finding themselves on opposing sides of a case that questions the very idea of right and wrong.

'Daayra' is scheduled to release in cinemas on September 18, 2026.