Netflix’s film ‘Kartavya’ is, as the name suggests, ‘Kartavya,’ which means ‘Duties,’ and ‘duty’ not just means professional duty, but duties in every aspect of life. This film, starring Saif Ali Khan as a dedicated cop, explores themes of lone heroes who stand up to injustice, corruption, and wrongdoing, while confronting societal stereotypes that honor killings.
Directed by Pulkit, the film follows a gripping tale of SHO Pawan, played by Saif Ali Khan, set against the Haryanvi backdrop. The film opens with Pawan’s birthday celebration at night, but soon the light-hearted moment turns intense as the SHO assigned to protect the visiting journalist fails to keep her safe with unexpected firing, leading to the journalist’s death.
Pawan brings in a dedicated cop and takes responsibility for presenting the chargesheet in a week, but things get even more intense when, at home, he faces another hurdle: his brother Deepak runs away with a girl named Preeti from a different caste, leading to further chaos. But beneath the visible troubles, there lies a dark web of crimes that keep children as targets.
Saif Ali Khan, as dedicated Haryanvi cop Pawan, is effortlessly charming. The way he presents himself shows his excellence as an actor. His Haryanvi accent is the key detail that makes the experience more realistic and entertaining.
Actress Rasika Dugal as Saif Ali Khan’s wife rocks. She never fails to impress, and this is just another character where she transformed herself with ease. Her character is soft yet courageous. Her presence adds sensitivity, emotional depth, and a sense of purpose.
Sanjay Mishra, as Saif Ali Khan’s colleague cum friend, stands by him strongly, and this shows a true friendship in the film. While Saurabh Dwivedi is at the center as Anand Shri, an influential holy Baba-type person who, with his manipulation, rules over.
Saif Ali Khan’s character, Pawan, handles all the battles simultaneously. The crime drama has it all—from larger-scale corruption and wrongdoing by an influential figure to emotional drama and personal struggles that keep one invested.
Director Pulkit shows the world of crime with ease, unveiling darker truths. The story feels relatable with the societal stereotypes where parents themselves agree to kill their children—Why?—just to show their honor is bigger than anything else.
Produced by Gauri Khan, the film keeps viewers invested with sharp edges and a gripping narrative. What really helps the story connect is the relatable societal drama and the strong performances. Every character plays a crucial role in the story, creating a lasting impact.
The scene where the killer Harpal cries seeing a family feeding their child lovingly gives goosebumps. This shows the hidden emotions and struggles beneath the deadly and brutal killer.
Overall, Kartavya doesn’t try to impress with excessive bloodshed and brutality but wins hearts with its relatability, emotional depth, and strong performances.
IWMBuzz rates Kartavya 4 out of 5 stars.
