Meghna Gulzar on 'Daayra': India's justice principles are ancient and ever-evolving
Synopsis
Meghna Gulzar's 'Daayra' isn't just a crime thriller — it's a philosophical provocation. In promoting the film, Gulzar has framed justice itself as man-made, ancient, and deeply relative, a lens that shapes the film's moral complexity. With Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran on the same institutional spectrum rather than opposite sides, 'Daayra' looks set to challenge neat narrative resolutions.
Key Takeaways
Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar described India's principles of justice as 'very, very ancient' and continuously evolving, during promotions for 'Daayra' in Mumbai on 3 September . 'Daayra' is a crime thriller starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran , produced by Vineet Jain under Junglee Pictures .
Gulzar described both lead characters as part of 'the same spectrum' of law enforcement, placed on opposite sides by circumstance rather than ideology.
The film releases in theatres on 18 September 2026 . 'Daayra' continues Gulzar's tradition of issue-driven filmmaking seen in 'Talvar' , 'Raazi' , and 'Sam Bahadur' .
Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar has said that India's sense of justice is rooted in antiquity but has undergone profound evolution over centuries, making remarks that add philosophical weight to the promotions of her upcoming crime thriller 'Daayra', set to release on 18 September 2026. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan and is produced by Vineet Jain under the Junglee Pictures banner.
What Meghna Gulzar Said About Justice
Speaking during the film's promotional events in the Andheri West area of Mumbai on 3 September, Gulzar reflected on the constructed and contested nature of justice. 'Even if it was already prevalent, it is man-made. The Manusmriti has been written by somebody and it has been formulated by somebody. So our principles of justice actually are very, very ancient. They have also evolved,' she said.
She elaborated further: 'They are also dynamic. But principles of justice or the idea of justice are very relative. What is justice for you can be a crime for me or injustice for me. And so as with everything that is human, it is not black or white. It is about the person's interpretation depending on their circumstances.'
The Film's Central Conflict
Gulzar described the dynamic between the two lead characters as nuanced rather than oppositional. '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.
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays a morally conflicted role that navigates justice, power, and systemic grey zones — a departure consistent with her recent shift toward layered, content-driven characters. Prithviraj Sukumaran brings his own angle to the case, with both characters inhabiting the same institutional world rather than standing on opposing moral poles.
Meghna Gulzar's Filmography and Storytelling Style
'Daayra' follows Gulzar's established tradition of restrained, issue-oriented filmmaking, a style evident across 'Talvar', 'Raazi', and 'Sam Bahadur'. Each of those films placed individual stories within larger systemic or historical frames — a hallmark that 'Daayra' appears to continue, this time through the lens of criminal justice and institutional power.
The film promises a sharp, socially grounded narrative that interrogates the subjectivity of justice in a contemporary Indian context. With its 18 September 2026 theatrical release approaching, 'Daayra' is shaping up as one of the more thematically ambitious Hindi films of the season.
Point of View
'Daayra' appears to be staking out more uncomfortable terrain. The reference to Manusmriti is pointed: it locates the film's inquiry in a specifically Indian historical argument about who writes the rules and for whom. Whether the film delivers on that promise is the question; Gulzar's track record suggests it will at least try.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Daayra' about?
'Daayra' is a crime thriller directed by Meghna Gulzar, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film explores justice, power, and systemic grey zones through two law enforcement characters placed on opposite sides of an incident by circumstance.
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 Junglee Pictures banner.
What did Meghna Gulzar say about justice during 'Daayra' promotions?
Gulzar said India's principles of justice are 'very, very ancient' and have evolved over time, while also arguing that justice is inherently relative — what constitutes justice for one person may represent injustice for another, depending on individual circumstances.
How are Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran's characters related in 'Daayra'?
According to Gulzar, the two characters are not at opposite ends of the moral spectrum. Both belong to the world of law enforcement and the police force; it is the circumstances of a specific incident that place them on opposing sides.
How does 'Daayra' fit into Meghna Gulzar's body of work?
'Daayra' continues Gulzar's tradition of restrained, issue-oriented storytelling seen in 'Talvar', 'Raazi', and 'Sam Bahadur'. Each of those films examined individual stories within larger systemic or institutional frameworks, a style 'Daayra' appears to extend into the domain of criminal justice.
