Kartavya

“Despite heavyweights like Saif Ali Khan, Rasika Duggal and Sanjay Mishra in the Netflix film, it comes undone due to lazy, formulaic writing. The cop jeep with the menacing blue-and-red lights flashing on its roof has more character than any human in the film.”

“Despite its gripping atmosphere, strong performances and morally complex protagonist, the film leaves behind the feeling of unrealised potential. The foundation for a truly searing socio-political thriller is present throughout but the writing never digs deep enough into its themes to deliver the lasting emotional and ideological impact it promises.”

“The film's ideas land, but its soft-edged execution blunts the force of its anger.”

“An earnest and socially relevant crime thriller that's undone by its predictability.”

“Saif Ali Khan is so flawless that I can't stop admiring him despite the film being fundamentally flawed. Instead, Kartavya ends up becoming two separate films awkwardly stitched together with threads too weak to carry the emotional burden of either story. This could have been two brilliant short films but fails as one feature.”

“Can a so-so script be uplifted by a star, through the performance alone? Hell, yeah! Among stars, Saif is probably my favourite Khan. Also, decades down, he still seems relatively underrated.”

“Kartavya is taut, gritty and keeps you hooked. The real twists come from the understated characters.”

“The film reaches it's destination, but leaves you thinking- and feeling- nothing.”

“These days, OTT films flirt with hinterland politics but settle for safe social commentary. The volatile social issues get diluted by a cautious approach. The narrative feels distinctly over-vetted, leaving one with the inescapable impression that a legal team sat directly beside the editor, scrubbing away uncomfortable truths.”

“Starring Saif Ali Khan as a small-town cop who grows a conscience, 'Kartavya' is a technically sound and politically expressive film”

“The Netflix release is a colourless tale of a khaki-clad braveheart, barely different from other films of its type, except for an illustrious cast and slick production values. There's nothing more to say or show in a movie that's utterly predictable and bereft of feeling.”