Meghna Gulzar believes the power of cinema comes with a responsibility that cannot be compared to watching something casually on a mobile phone. At the music launch of Daayra in Mumbai, the filmmaker spoke about the challenges of presenting sensitive subjects on the big screen and why certain restrictions can actually encourage creators to be more accountable. Meghna attended the event alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan, Prithviraj Sukumaran and her father, veteran lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar Saab.
During the interaction, Meghna was asked whether filmmakers sometimes feel constrained when they are expected to avoid showing certain things in cinema, even though audiences can already encounter both the good and the bad across mobile phones and social media. The filmmaker admitted that there are moments when she does feel restricted, but said she also understands why cinema is treated differently. According to her, the sheer scale of the big screen can dramatically amplify the impact of what viewers see.
“Sometimes, yes. But I understand it, because the amplification of cinema—watching something on such a massive screen—creates an impact and resonance far greater than that of a mobile phone or social media,” Meghna explained. For the filmmaker, that difference makes the responsibility of presenting delicate or sensitive material much greater. A story shown to a large audience in a theatrical setting can leave a very different impression compared with something viewed individually on a phone.
Rather than seeing restrictions only as limitations, Meghna believes they can also serve a useful purpose. She said that when filmmakers know they are dealing with material that carries significant impact, the responsibility becomes even more important. “I understand that, and it is a good thing those restrictions exist because they instill a sense of responsibility in us,” she said. According to her, such boundaries make creators think carefully about how they portray sensitive subjects instead of simply chasing shock value.
That philosophy fits closely with the world of Daayra, a crime thriller inspired by a true event. The film requires Meghna to navigate material rooted in real-life circumstances, making questions around representation and responsibility particularly relevant. Rather than simply putting difficult realities on screen, the filmmaker appears focused on understanding the weight of what is being shown and the effect it can have on audiences. Her comments highlight why telling stories inspired by real events requires more than just strong writing and performances.
Co-written and directed by Meghna Gulzar, Daayra stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles. The film is produced by Vineet Jain and Dhaval Jain under Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios and is scheduled to release in theatres on September 18, 2026. With its sensitive subject and theatrical scale, Daayra arrives with plenty to discuss — and Meghna’s message is clear: when cinema has the power to make an impact on such a massive scale, filmmakers must be equally serious about the responsibility that comes with that power.