Our Bureau
Mumbai
Filmmaker Meghna Gulzar has said her upcoming crime drama Daayra remains relevant despite being conceived during the 2020 lockdown, as the film examines crime against women, justice and the grey areas within the criminal justice system. The film, starring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is scheduled to release in theatres on September 18.
Gulzar said that Daayra was brought to her by Junglee Pictures in 2020, when she was preparing to make Sam Bahadur. Although she postponed the project for four years, she said she and the producers were confident that its central concerns would continue to resonate.
The film follows two senior police officers, played by Kapoor and Sukumaran and their different approaches to duty and justice.
Gulzar said the film seeks to explore the “greys” of the justice system rather than present issues as simply right or wrong. She said what one person considers justice may appear as injustice to another, depending on their position.
Contrary to earlier reports that the film was inspired by the 2019 Hyderabad case, Gulzar clarified that Daayra is an amalgamation of several real cases from across India. The story has deliberately been kept region-neutral, with its characters and institutions not tied to any particular state or police force.
The filmmaker said researching and writing the film took about two years. The team drew elements from multiple real cases while attempting to maintain a balance between cinematic storytelling and responsibility toward the subject.
Gulzar, whose earlier films include Talvar, Raazi and Sam Bahadur, said she is drawn to the emotion and strength of a story rather than deliberately choosing particular institutions as subjects.
Produced by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios, Daayra marks Kapoor’s first screen collaboration with Sukumaran.