Saif Ali Khan’s latest film ‘Kartavya’ arrives as a grounded investigative drama that avoids the usual Bollywood treatment. Unlike mainstream action entertainers packed with songs, dramatic slow-motion entrances and over-the-top fight sequences, the film takes a more restrained route. The film feels closer to an OTT-style thriller in pacing and storytelling, with an emphasis on realism and emotional tension rather than cinematic spectacle. Despite the lack of high-tension commercial moments, ‘Kartavya’ remains engaging for most of its runtime.
The plot of ‘Kartavya’ revolves around corruption, duty and survival
In the film, Saif Ali Khan plays Pawan, an honest cop stationed in Jhamli village. Trouble begins when a 16-year-old boy kills a journalist, drawing suspicion towards a powerful spiritual figure named Anand Shri, played by Saurabh Dwivedi. As the teenager suddenly disappears, Pawan launches an investigation while battling corruption within his department. At the same time, his personal life turns into chaos after his brother runs off with a girl from a different caste, creating tension in the community. The film tries to balance these two parallel conflicts while exploring themes of honesty, caste politics and abuse of power.While ‘Kartavya’ invests the audience with its brisk pace and tense atmosphere, the script becomes its biggest limitation. Various developments, especially major climax revelations, are easily foreshadowed before they unfold on screen.
Saif Ali Khan holds the film together
According to reports, Saif Ali Khan delivers an effective performance as a cop fighting against a corrupt system. Her portrayal feels natural and emotionally grounded, especially in the film’s more intense moments. The actor’s gradual transformation from a calm officer to a raging man pushed to the edge is one of the film’s strongest elements.
Twitter reacts to “Kartavya” with praise for its dark and honest narrative
Soon after the release of ‘Kartavya’, social media platforms were flooded with audience reactions praising the film’s raw treatment and emotionally intense narrative. Many fans described the film as an engaging crime drama that avoids commercial clichés and focuses on realism and tension. One user wrote: “True, raw and catchy, but the anticipation backfires.” Fans compare “Kartavya” and “Sacred Games”.Social media users have praised the film’s dark atmosphere and gritty realism. One user wrote: “SACRED GAMES atmosphere… but darker 👀🚬 If Sartaj Singh had to survive in a rotten North Indian town full of caste politics, betrayal and bloodshed… you’d get #Kartavya. The film has the same realism but adds raw emotional violence.”Another reaction highlighted the intensity of the climax: “THE LAST ACT IS CALLED THE LAST 🚔⚡ Once the betrayals start to unfold, ‘Kartavya’ becomes relentless. Bullets fly. Loyalties fall away. Emotions explode. And Saif’s latest transformation is MASSIVE.
‘Kartavya’: A decent watch for fans of gritty thrillers
Directed by Pulkit and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, ‘Kartavya’ released on Netflix on May 15, 2026. The crime thriller stars Saif Ali Khan as the honest SHO Pawan Singh alongside Rasika Dugal, Sanjay Mishra, Saurabh Dwivedi, Manish Chaudhari, Zakir Hussain and Yudhvir Ahlawat. The film lasts about 147 minutes.
