Prithviraj Sukumaran has opened up about what convinced him to take on Meghna Gulzar’s Daayra, revealing that he initially planned to decline the project because of his busy schedule. After hearing Meghna’s narration, however, he found himself unable to turn the film down. Learning that Kareena Kapoor Khan was being considered for the other lead ultimately made the decision easier.
In an interview, Prithviraj also discussed Daayra’s exploration of justice, its refusal to provide easy answers and the questions the film raises for audiences. He spoke candidly about approaching the subject as a father, husband, friend and citizen, and stressed that conversations about safety should involve boys as well as girls.
Why Prithviraj Sukumaran Said Yes to Daayra
Prithviraj explained that when Meghna Gulzar requested a meeting, he initially expected to listen to her pitch and then politely decline.
At the time, he was already committed to other projects and believed he simply would not have the time to take on another film.
“I was preparing myself to very politely listen to what she had to say and then tell her that it wouldn’t be possible because I really didn’t have the time,” Prithviraj said.
That plan changed once Meghna narrated the film.
According to the actor, the story affected him strongly enough that he found it difficult to reject the project.
“After hearing the narration, I was thinking to myself that I couldn’t say no to this.”
There was another important factor. Prithviraj asked who would be playing Ajooni Kohli, the other lead character. Meghna told him that she was hoping to have Kareena Kapoor Khan play the role.
That revelation became the final push.
“So I realised that I had to say yes to this when the co-actor was Kareena Kapoor Khan.”
Prithviraj said he is ultimately pleased that he accepted the film and praised Meghna as both a person and filmmaker.
He described her as “one of the nicest human beings” he has met and “one of the toughest filmmakers” he has worked with.
What Is Daayra About?
Prithviraj described Daayra as a film built around two perspectives on the same situation.
Rather than presenting one interpretation as definitively correct, the film attempts to occupy the space between those competing arguments.
“There are two arguments to the same scenario. There is a perspective that validates either side of that argument, and that’s what this film is about. The film is about that space in between the two perspectives.”
He explained that the filmmakers deliberately wanted the film to function as a mediator between the two viewpoints, rather than dictate how the audience should interpret them.
Daayra Will Leave Audiences With Questions
According to Prithviraj, Daayra is intentionally designed not to offer straightforward answers.
The film raises uncomfortable questions surrounding justice and the circumstances in which people seek or experience it. Instead of resolving every question on behalf of the viewer, it leaves the audience to reach its own conclusions.
“Daayra is a film that will ask you a lot of uncomfortable questions and leave you with no answers from its side. The answers are for you to think about.”
Prithviraj said the hope is that viewers will continue discussing and thinking about the film after watching it.
He also suggested that questions around justice can have more than one answer at a personal level, while broader systemic questions can be much more complicated.
Prithviraj on Justice and the System
When asked to choose between the two perspectives explored in Daayra, Prithviraj declined to select one.
Instead, he said that the side he represents is justice itself.
He argued that the central issue is not about choosing between two camps but about the difficulty of getting justice through a system that can be slow and complicated.
“We can’t really take a side. The side is that of justice.”
Prithviraj said that the process of delivering justice can become so cumbersome and prolonged that people can understandably lose faith or hope in it.
He added that the goal should be to create a system in which justice is delivered more quickly and coherently, without people having to wait for years.
“I just hope for a day and time when the delivery of justice is faster, more coherent and does not come with years of waiting for it to arrive.”
Prithviraj Says the Issue Goes Beyond Parenting
The actor also reflected on how his own experience as a parent has affected his perspective on the subject.
Prithviraj said that concern about safety is not limited to being a father. He sees it through multiple roles in his life—as a husband, friend and responsible citizen.
“We are not just worried as parents. We are worried as a husband, father, a friend to someone and as a responsible citizen of the country.”
He acknowledged that the film deals with an uncomfortable social reality and said that, as citizens, one of the practical steps people can take is to speak with children about safety.
Prithviraj on Talking to Children About Safety
Prithviraj revealed that he has an 11-year-old daughter, which has made these conversations particularly personal for him.
He described being at a stage of parenthood where he has to begin discussing what is safe and unsafe with his daughter—something he said he would not have to do in an ideal world.
“If we were to live in an ideal world, I would never have to have that conversation, but we do not live in an ideal world.”
However, he stressed that such conversations should not focus exclusively on girls.
According to Prithviraj, boys should also be part of these discussions and should receive equally strong guidance about safety and behaviour.
“We should not make a mistake by only limiting the conversation to our girl children. It should be equally vociferous for the boys as well.”
Prithviraj on Working With Kareena Kapoor Khan
Daayra also marks Prithviraj’s opportunity to work with Kareena Kapoor Khan.
He has previously shared the screen with several leading actresses, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Kajol, and he spoke warmly about the experience of working with each of them.
Prithviraj said he considers himself fortunate to have worked alongside such accomplished performers.
“I am the lucky guy. They are damn good actors.”
He specifically praised Kareena’s acting ability and said her involvement in Daayra is about her capabilities as a performer rather than celebrity appeal.
“Kareena is in this film not because she is anybody’s crush but because she is a damn good actor.”
He added that her performance in Daayra demonstrates the same ability she has shown throughout her career.
Prithviraj Calls Kareena One of the Best Actors
Prithviraj spoke particularly highly of Kareena, describing her as “easily one of the best actors the country has.”
He also recalled his experiences working with other prominent performers, including Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Rani Mukerji and Kajol.
His comments underline his appreciation for the acting talent involved in Daayra, rather than focusing solely on the film’s high-profile cast.
Prithviraj’s Experience With Aishwarya, Rani and Kajol
Reflecting on his previous collaborations, Prithviraj mentioned his work with Mani Ratnam and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, noting that he occasionally meets her at his daughter’s school.
He also praised Rani Mukerji as a “terrific actor” and described Kajol as another great performer.
His comments place his collaboration with Kareena within a broader career of working alongside some of Hindi cinema’s established leading actresses.
Meghna Gulzar’s Approach Won Prithviraj Over
While Kareena’s potential casting gave Prithviraj another reason to accept the project, his comments make clear that Meghna Gulzar’s narration was the first major turning point.
He initially entered the meeting expecting to say no. Instead, the story changed his mind before the casting conversation provided the final push.
His praise for Meghna’s filmmaking approach also suggests that the creative process was central to his decision.
