Fans of crime thrillers and investigative dramas have a new film to add to their watchlist. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran’s much-awaited film Daayra is scheduled to make its digital debut on Netflix on November 13, 2026. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the crime thriller brings together two prominent actors for the first time on screen. The film explores the complicated relationship between law, justice, police authority and public opinion through a controversial encounter case.
Unlike a conventional crime thriller that focuses only on identifying the criminals, Daayra takes a deeper look at what happens after a controversial police operation. The death of four suspects in police custody triggers a serious investigation and raises questions about whether the encounter was a legitimate police operation or an act that crossed the boundaries of the law.
With an intriguing storyline, strong performances and Meghna Gulzar’s direction, the film attracted attention during its theatrical release. Now, its arrival on Netflix is expected to bring the story to a wider OTT audience, including viewers who missed it in cinemas.
Daayra OTT Release Date: When and Where to Watch
Daayra is scheduled to premiere on Netflix on November 13, 2026. Netflix India has announced the digital release through its promotional communication, making the streaming platform the film’s OTT destination.
The film is listed on Netflix as a 2026 thriller starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Jitendra Joshi. The platform’s listing describes a story in which an investigator must determine whether the killing of four suspects in police custody was a lawful operation or a calculated move.
According to the available platform information, the film has Hindi and Malayalam audio options, along with English and Hindi subtitles. However, viewers should check the Netflix app for the actual playback option in their region, as the direct title page may not immediately show availability to every user.
To find the film, viewers can open Netflix and search for Daayra. The movie is intended for adult audiences and carries an A certificate in India.
What Is the Story of Daayra? A Crime Case That Questions the Justice System
The story of Daayra begins with a disturbing crime involving the rape and murder of a young woman. The case creates widespread public anger and puts pressure on the police to identify and arrest those responsible. Four suspects are eventually arrested, but before they can face a full judicial trial, they are killed in a controversial police encounter.
Following the incident, the situation becomes increasingly complicated. While some people consider the police action an example of swift justice, others question whether the officers followed the legal procedure. The incident also creates a larger debate about the difference between public demand for punishment and the responsibility of law enforcement agencies to follow due process.
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays DCP Ajooni Kohli, a determined police officer assigned to investigate the controversial encounter. Her responsibility is to examine the circumstances surrounding the operation and establish whether the officers involved acted within the boundaries of the law.
Prithviraj Sukumaran plays DCP Raman Kumar, the police officer at the centre of the controversy. He is associated with the encounter operation and has his own understanding of policing and justice.
As the investigation develops, the two officers find themselves on opposing sides of an increasingly complicated situation. Their contrasting approaches to law enforcement become the central conflict of the film.
Through this investigation, Daayra raises an important question: Can an encounter be considered justice simply because the suspects are accused of committing a serious crime? Or must every accused person be given the opportunity to face a legal trial? The film examines these questions through a fictionalised crime drama inspired by real events.
Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Sukumaran Share the Screen for the First Time
One of the biggest attractions of Daayra is the first-time pairing of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Both actors have established themselves in their respective film industries and bring different acting styles to the investigative thriller.
Kareena Kapoor Khan plays DCP Ajooni Kohli, a police officer whose approach to justice is closely connected to accountability and legal procedure. The character gives her an opportunity to explore a serious investigative role rather than a conventional commercial film character.
Prithviraj Sukumaran portrays DCP Raman Kumar, whose involvement in the encounter places him at the centre of the story. His character represents another perspective on police authority and the challenges faced by officers handling high-pressure criminal investigations.
The contrast between their characters provides much of the film’s dramatic tension. Instead of relying entirely on action sequences, the narrative focuses on the professional and ideological differences between two police officers working within the same system.
The supporting cast includes Jitendra Joshi, Kshitee Jog, Biswapati Sarkar, Sandesh Kulkarni, Trupti Khamkar, Upendra Chauhan, Ujjwal Chopra and Brij Bhushan Shukla. Their characters contribute to different stages of the investigation and the wider narrative.
Meghna Gulzar Directs Daayra: The Filmmaker Behind Talvar and Raazi
Daayra is directed by Meghna Gulzar, a filmmaker known for bringing real-world issues and complex human situations to the screen. Her earlier films, including Talvar and Raazi, received considerable attention for their storytelling and subject matter.
With Talvar, she explored the complexities of a high-profile criminal investigation, while Raazi presented a story of espionage, sacrifice and patriotism. Daayra continues her interest in stories that examine difficult questions rather than offering simple answers.
The screenplay has been written by Yash Keswani, Sima Agarwal and Meghna Gulzar. The film is presented by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios, with Vineet Jain and Dhaval Gada serving as producers and Amrita Pandey as co-producer.
Music for the film has been composed by Amit Trivedi, while the lyrics are written by Gulzar. The production marks another collaboration between Meghna Gulzar and Junglee Pictures following their earlier projects Talvar and Raazi.
When Was Daayra Released in Theatres?
Before its digital release, Daayra arrived in cinemas on September 18, 2026. The film was released in Hindi and Malayalam and received an A certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).
According to the CBFC certification record, the Hindi theatrical version has a certified length of 143 minutes and 16 seconds, making it approximately two hours and 23 minutes long.
The film’s theatrical trailer was released on August 31, 2026, giving audiences an initial look at the characters played by Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The promotional material highlighted the film’s central themes of truth, accountability and the moral boundaries of justice.
Is Daayra Worth Watching on Netflix?
For viewers who enjoy investigative dramas, courtroom-related debates and realistic crime thrillers, Daayra could be an interesting addition to their watchlist. The film’s strongest attraction is its subject matter. Instead of presenting the police as automatically right or wrong, it explores the complicated responsibilities that come with exercising legal authority.
The performances of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran are another major reason audiences may be interested in watching the film. Their characters represent contrasting viewpoints, giving the narrative an additional layer beyond the investigation itself.
However, Daayra may not appeal equally to everyone. Viewers looking for a fast-paced commercial action film should keep in mind that its central focus is an investigative story and the moral questions surrounding a controversial police encounter.
Overall, Daayra brings together an interesting combination of a serious social subject, an investigative storyline and two leading performers working together for the first time. With its Netflix premiere scheduled for November 13, 2026, the film is set to reach a wider audience beyond its theatrical run. For fans of Meghna Gulzar’s storytelling and meaningful crime dramas, it is certainly a title worth considering.
