Meghna Gulzar on non-fiction: 'It keeps me real, not cynical'
Synopsis
Meghna Gulzar's admission that non-fiction 'disappoints and depresses' her but keeps her grounded is more than a reading preference — it is the creative philosophy behind films like 'Talvar' and 'Raazi'. With 'Daayra' arriving on 18 September 2026, her latest crime thriller starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran will test whether that unflinching realism translates to the box office.
Key Takeaways
Meghna Gulzar said non-fiction keeps her 'real' rather than cynical, even when it disappoints her.
She was speaking during promotions for 'Daayra' , her upcoming crime thriller, in Andheri West, Mumbai on 4 September . 'Daayra' stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan as law enforcement figures placed on opposite sides of an incident by circumstance.
The film is produced by Vineet Jain under Junglee Pictures and releases in theatres on 18 September 2026 .
Gulzar's previous directorial credits include 'Talvar' , 'Raazi' , and 'Sam Bahadur' .
Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar has said that non-fiction is her primary intellectual diet — not because it comforts her, but because it grounds her. Speaking during the promotional circuit for her upcoming crime thriller 'Daayra', the director offered a candid window into the reading habits that shape her storytelling.
What Meghna Gulzar Said
'No, I think it keeps me real. Does it disappoint me and depress me from time to time? Of course it does. But it also keeps you real,' she said at an event in the Andheri West area of Mumbai on 4 September.
She was quick to clarify that fiction is not off the table. 'Yes, it's not like I don't consume fiction. I do. Sometimes I do want to escape into a fantasy or a sci-fi adventure or a romance. I do. But I think to feed the mind, I go towards non-fiction,' she added.
About Daayra
'Daayra' is a crime thriller starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan, produced by Vineet Jain under the banner of Junglee Pictures. The film is scheduled to release in theatres on 18 September 2026. It promises a sharp, socially grounded narrative, placing Kareena in a morally complex role that probes justice, power, and systemic grey zones.
The project marks a notable convergence: Kareena's recent tilt toward layered, content-led characters meets Gulzar's trademark restrained, issue-driven style — the same sensibility that defined 'Talvar', 'Raazi', and 'Sam Bahadur'.
The Dynamics Between the Two Lead Characters
Gulzar has previously spoken about how the two protagonists relate to each other within the story. 'They are actually not at the opposite ends of the spectrum. They are part of the same spectrum. They are part of the same world of law enforcement and the police force. It is circumstances that put them on opposite sides of an incident,' she explained.
This framing suggests 'Daayra' is less interested in binary moral conflict than in the murkier terrain of institutional pressure and circumstance — a signature Gulzar preoccupation.
What to Expect
With 'Daayra' arriving on 18 September 2026, audience and critical attention will be on whether the film sustains the benchmark set by Gulzar's earlier work. Her non-fiction-fed worldview has historically translated into films that resist easy resolution — and by her own account, that is precisely the point.
Point of View
And 'Daayra' appears to continue that lineage. The more interesting question is whether the pairing of Kareena Kapoor Khan — whose recent choices signal a genuine pivot toward complex roles — with Gulzar's unsparing style produces a crime thriller that challenges audiences rather than reassures them. The September 2026 release window, historically competitive, will be a real test of whether issue-driven cinema can hold its own against spectacle.
NationPress
4 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Daayra' about?
'Daayra' is a crime thriller directed by Meghna Gulzar, starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan as law enforcement figures whose circumstances place them on opposite sides of an incident. The film explores themes of justice, power, and systemic grey zones.
When does 'Daayra' release in theatres?
'Daayra' is scheduled to release in theatres on 18 September 2026. It is produced by Vineet Jain under the banner of Junglee Pictures.
What did Meghna Gulzar say about reading non-fiction?
Gulzar said non-fiction keeps her 'real' rather than cynical, acknowledging it can disappoint and depress her at times. She added that she also reads fiction for escapism but turns to non-fiction to 'feed the mind'.
How are Prithviraj and Kareena's characters related in 'Daayra'?
According to Gulzar, the two characters are not at opposite ends of the moral spectrum — they belong to the same world of law enforcement and the police force. It is circumstances, not ideology, that place them on opposing sides of an incident.
What are Meghna Gulzar's previous films?
Meghna Gulzar's notable directorial credits include 'Talvar' (2015), 'Raazi' (2018), and 'Sam Bahadur' (2023), all of which are known for their restrained, issue-oriented storytelling rooted in real events.
