Daayra Public Talk: Hyd Rape & Murder Case, Boring Film?

Daayra gets mixed early reactions

Films centred on rape are never easy watches, and Meghna Gulzar’s Daayra is no exception. The crime thriller features Prithviraj Sukumaran and Kareena Kapoor Khan and is loosely inspired by the 2019 Hyderabad rape and murder case.

It follows two police officers on opposing sides of a controversial encounter. Prithviraj Sukumaran plays DCP Raman Kumar who is famous for his encounter killings, while Kareena plays Internal Vigilance Officer Ajooni Kohli, who investigates the deaths of the accused.

Early reactions to the film have been decidedly mixed. Some reviewers have appreciated its serious subject, moral questions and the contrast between Raman’s belief in immediate justice and Ajooni’s faith in legal procedure. The investigation, performances, editing and tension have also received praise. A few others also found the film engaging and thought-provoking.

However, several reactions point to weaknesses in the screenplay. Some viewers feel the film stretches a relatively simple story while trying to make it appear more complex. That way, it left its central argument unclear. Kareena’s limited screen time has also disappointed viewers. Some even said that her role was closer to an extended cameo.

Kareena has never disappointed us with her acting, and her limited screen time in Daayra makes us question her choices in projects too.

A few other reviews are considerably harsher, with some calling the film imbalanced and arguing that its moral complexity ultimately gives way to a revenge driven narrative. Overall, Daayra appears to be generating discussion more for its controversial ideas than for a successful execution.