Saif Ali Khan's "Kartavya" arrives on Netflix May 15: Red Chillies' crime drama

Mumbai, May 12. The Saif Ali Khan crime drama "Kartavya" streams globally on Netflix from May 15, 2026. The film skips theatres and goes directly to OTT.

The story

Saif plays Pawan, a police officer who comes under scrutiny after a journalist is shot under his watch. The film probes moral dilemmas, pressures of the power structure, and a father-son relationship.

Direction and production

"Kartavya" is directed and written by Pulkit, who has helmed action-thrillers earlier. The film is produced by Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment.

A strong cast

Saif is joined by Rasika Dugal, Sanjay Mishra, Zakir Hussain, and Manish Chaudhari. Journalist Saurabh Dwivedi makes his acting debut in a substantial role.

The theatre-vs-OTT debate

"Kartavya" going straight to OTT reflects Bollywood's shifting strategy. In the past six months, eight major films have bypassed theatres for streaming. Producers argue that smaller-budget crime dramas find better audiences on OTT.

Netflix's India play

"Kartavya" is part of Netflix's 22-title Indian originals slate for 2026. The platform has already announced "Heeramandi" Season 2 and "The Family Man" Season 4. Netflix said it will invest $300 million in India this year.