Meghna Gulzar on Daayra: 'Law can be manipulated yet stay within its boundaries'
Synopsis
Meghna Gulzar says 'Daayra' is built on a single, unsettling truth: that the law can be scrupulously followed and ruthlessly manipulated at the same time. With Kareena Kapoor Khan in a morally conflicted role and a 18 September 2026 release locked in, the crime thriller is shaping up as one of Hindi cinema's more pointed examinations of justice and power this year.
Key Takeaways
Meghna Gulzar described the duality of legal interpretation as the fulcrum of her new film 'Daayra' .
The film stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in a socially grounded crime thriller.
Gulzar said: 'You can completely manipulate the loopholes in the law and yet stay within its boundaries.' The project is produced by Vineet Jain under Junglee Pictures . 'Daayra' is scheduled for theatrical release on 18 September 2026 .
Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar has said that the law operates in grey zones — shaped by who it protects and who bears its cost — and described this tension as the central theme of her upcoming crime thriller 'Daayra', set to release in theatres on 18 September 2026. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan and is produced by Vineet Jain under the Junglee Pictures banner.
The Idea at the Heart of Daayra
Speaking during the film's promotional events in the Andheri West area of Mumbai, Gulzar said the law's capacity for interpretation is something that plays out every day. 'It happens every day in life. The law can be interpreted and manipulated and twisted and adhered to. And people do all of it all the time. And that is actually what is the fulcrum of Daayra,' she said.
She elaborated further: 'Someone can completely toe the line of the law and stay within its boundaries. And you can also completely manipulate the loopholes in the law and yet stay within its boundaries. Both are possible.' This duality, she suggested, is what gives the narrative its moral complexity.
What the Film Promises
'Daayra' is billed as a socially grounded crime thriller that explores justice, power, and systemic grey zones. Kareena Kapoor Khan takes on a complex, morally conflicted role — continuing her recent pattern of choosing layered, content-driven characters. For Meghna Gulzar, the project extends a body of work defined by restrained, issue-oriented storytelling, from 'Talvar' and 'Raazi' to 'Sam Bahadur'.
Justice, Ancient Principles, and Modern Evolution
Gulzar has previously noted that India's sense of justice is rooted in ancient principles but has undergone significant evolution over time. 'Daayra' appears to engage directly with that tension — between inherited frameworks of justice and the modern legal machinery that can, depending on who wields it, produce sharply different outcomes.
Release Details
Produced by Vineet Jain under Junglee Pictures, 'Daayra' is scheduled for a theatrical release on 18 September 2026. The collaboration between Kareena Kapoor Khan and Meghna Gulzar marks one of the more anticipated pairings in Hindi cinema this year, given both their individual track records with substantive, socially engaged work.
Point of View
With Kareena Kapoor Khan as the vessel. After 'Talvar' and 'Raazi', Gulzar has established credibility in stripping systemic stories of their sentimentality. Whether 'Daayra' lands as cultural commentary or settles for genre comfort will determine whether it sustains the conversation she is opening in its promotions.
NationPress
14 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Daayra' about?
'Daayra' is a crime thriller directed by Meghna Gulzar that explores justice, power, and the grey zones of the law. It stars Kareena Kapoor Khan in a morally conflicted role alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran, and is produced by Vineet Jain under Junglee Pictures.
When does 'Daayra' release in theatres?
'Daayra' is scheduled for a theatrical release on 18 September 2026.
What did Meghna Gulzar say about law and 'Daayra'?
Gulzar said the law can be interpreted, manipulated, and adhered to all at once, calling this the fulcrum of 'Daayra'. She noted that someone can manipulate loopholes in the law and still remain within its boundaries — and that both compliant and manipulative uses of the law are possible simultaneously.
Who are the key people behind 'Daayra'?
'Daayra' is directed by Meghna Gulzar, stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, and is produced by Vineet Jain under the Junglee Pictures banner.
How does 'Daayra' connect to Meghna Gulzar's earlier films?
'Daayra' extends Gulzar's track record of issue-oriented, restrained storytelling seen in 'Talvar', 'Raazi', and 'Sam Bahadur'. The film continues her focus on systemic and social questions, this time centred on legal ambiguity and justice.
