In “Kartavya” (transl: Duty), Anand Shri (Saurabh Dwivedi), a cult leader preaches joy to his loyal devotees but is actually hiding sinister secrets. Inspector Pawan (Saif Ali Khan) suspects the same but is hindered by a near suspension following his failure to protect a journalist who was investigating the cult leader. In a subplot that runs parallel, Pawan is also at his wit’s end as his father, Harihar (Zakir Hussain), a disciple of Anand Shri passes on regressive ideologies to his young grandson, much to the chagrin of the honest cop and his wife Varsha (Rasika Dugal).
“Kartavya” treads similar ground to director Pulkit’s previous Netflix outing, the Bhumi Pednekar-starrer “Bhakshak,” and simultaneously shares a semblance to Anurag Kashyap’s “Ugly.” What initially begins as a police procedural develops into a layered, altogether heartbreaking study of inhumanity and the regression of civilised society while shining light on kids at risk who are robbed of their innocence due to the crimes of adults.
Calling out Archaic Systems
Furthermore, the ilm juggles topics such as the archaic system of Khap Panchayat. It showcases Pawan’s father calling for an honour killing to uphold the family’s prestige after his younger son Deepak elopes. And later, the members (as well as head of the Panchayat) casually pass casteist comments and discuss killing couples who’ve eloped against their parents’ wishes in cold blood much like one would refer to cows at slaughter houses. Such blind devotion and normalisation of regressive ideology have thus resulted in men throwing their own flesh and blood, and peers under the bus.
The movie also benefits from on-the-nose comparisons drawn between the archer Arjuna going to war with his own cousins in the Indian epic “Mahabharata” and the main character’s dilemma in confronting a morally corrupt patriarch and higher ups. As the movie progresses, Pawan realizes that detaching himself from his personal life for the greater good and holding his superiors accountable to do due diligence to the victims is an uphill task.
A Near-Perfect Character-Driven Effort
Saif Ali Khan, known for his ability to switch between suave rom-com leads and fiery, intense antiheroes/villains (such as the Naga Sadhu/ascetic on a violent mission in “Laal Kaptaan” or chewing the scenery as “Omkara’s” Iago/Langda Tyagi) is yet again in top form as Inspector Pawan. He plays an admirable cop with a conscience who goes to great lengths to keep his signature white sneakers clean from the spilt blood of innocents. Noted character actors Sanjay Mishra, Manish Chaudhari, and Zakir Hussain lend ample support, while child actor Yudhvir Ahlawat also impresses. Saurabh Dwivedi is a good fit as the smug and menacing primary antagonist. While it’s always a treat to watch Rasika Dugal grace the screen with her natural acting, I wish she was given a meatier role or more screen time. However, she is nonetheless convincing as Pawan’s supportive wife.Â
“Kartavya” lacks structure and storytelling. Yet despite it, the movie is a brave, near-perfect character driven effort in shining light on the need to safeguard the younger generation. It’s also a wakeup call for adults to not let their beliefs blind them and a close examination of the harmful after effects of extremism which unfortunately can’t be undone.
“Kartavya” is currently streaming on Netflix.
