Netflix’s Kartavya Cast And Character Guide

Netflix’s latest film, “Kartavya” is already doing well, and it is a brand-new experience for me to watch a film that strips down society on so many levels. The movie, directed and written by Pulkit, revolves around a police inspector investigating a journalist’s murder and facing extreme difficulties in the process of trying to uncover the truth. Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, “Kartavya” has one hell of a cast, and as you read this piece, you will learn everything about the actors and the characters they are playing. If you have not seen the film yet, there’s no need to worry, because I have not included any spoilers at all.

Saif Ali Khan as Inspector Pawan

Saif Ali Khan, one of the most prolific Bollywood actors, takes on the role of Inspector Pawan, a struggling police officer from Jhamli district. I am sure most of you know who Saif is, mostly from his work across countless films like “Agent Vinod,” “Dil Bechara,” “Go Goa Gone 2,” “Happy Ending,” “Rangoon,” “Phantom,” “Vikram Vedha,” “Tanhaji: The Unsung Warrior,” and “Bhoot Police”. In “Kartavya,” his character fails to protect journalist Reema Dutta as she is gunned down by some goons on a motorbike. Pawan faces massive humiliation at the hands of his boss, Keshav, who hands him a suspension letter to make him pay for the costly mistake. While Pawan struggles to find the shooter, his brother runs away with a girl, putting the household in peril. Saif’s portrayal of Pawan’s internal struggles is on par with his performance as Inspector Sartaj Singh in Netflix’s “Sacred Games.” Pawan is trying to search for the killer while simultaneously struggling to hide his brother and keep him from getting killed. 

Rasika Dugal as Varsha

Rasika Dugal stars as Varsha, Pawan’s wife, who supports the Inspector during his moral struggles throughout the film. She takes good care of the household as a traditional wife and often engages in banter with Pawan. We know Dugal from “Hamid,” “Lust Stories,” “Manto,” “Shor Se Shuruaat,” “Chutney,” and “The School Bag.” Apart from these movies, we have all seen Rasika in popular TV shows like “P.O.W.: Bandi Yudh Ke,” “Made In Heaven,” and “A Suitable Boy.” She has gained the spotlight mainly because of her method acting in Amazon Prime’s “Mirzapur,” where she plays Beena, and Rasika delivers the same in this movie. In “Kartavya,” her character saves Pawan’s brother from getting caught by the village elders.

Sanjay Mishra as Ashok Y

Sanjay Mishra’s Ashok Y brings a touch of unmatched humor to the film while everything spirals into crisis. He works at the Jhamli Police Station and partners with Inspector Pawan to stop crime. The night when the perpetrators shoot Reema Dutta, Mishra’s character gets wounded as a bullet grazes his arm, and Pawan admits him to a hospital. Mishra has starred in a lot of films over the years, like “Vadh 2,” “Bhakshak,” “Phera,” “Bhool Bhulaiya,” “Gidhh: The Scavenger,” “Guthli Laddoo,” “Chal Zindagi,” “Twameva Sarvam,” “Dal Bhat,” and “Kutuub Minar.” He has been a part of TV series like “Bed Stories,” “Yeh Meri Family,” and “Chiraiya.” Mishra’s character in this movie may be seen as a flatterer, but in reality, he helps Pawan whenever he loses hope and tries to keep him happy.

Saurabh Dwibedi as Anand Shri

I am sure that we have all seen how journalist Saurabh Dwibedi asks tough questions to all popular figures of the society. Let’s hope that he will not give this career up after leaving Lallantop and joining the cast of Netflix’s “Kartavya.” Dwibedi is Anand Shri, a self proclaimed guru, who preaches the mantra of happiness to everyone around him at Anand Bhoomi, which is his preaching grounds. Dwibedi has not been a part of movies and television series as such, he appeared in a 2024 episode of “Bigg Boss” and hosted this year’s “Chetak Screen Awards.” Before joining the cast of “Kartavya,” Dwibedi has starred as a news anchor in the 2026 film “Space Gen: Chandrayaan.” Anand Shri is a layered character who has politicians and higher officials eating out of his hand, as his disciples. Dwibedi’s character wrongfully traps young minor boys and uses them to carry out illegal tasks, which includes the killing of journalist Reema Dutta. He gets confronted by Inspector Pawan, but dodges him away using his connections.

Yudhvir Ahlawat as Harpal

Yudhvir Ahlawat, a well-known junior actor, aces his time in this Netflix movie as Harpal, a minor who runs away from his house after Anand Shri’s goons attack him. He used to work for Anand Shri, who took him away from his father and promised to let him go if he took Reema Dutta’s life. After his escape, Harpal is forced to resort to food from roadside stalls and begging, just to fulfill his hunger. Ahlawat, who has worked in “Saand Ki Aankh” and “Love Hostel,” gained huge fame after his role as Pankaj in “CO-ED,” which is a popular and critically acclaimed 2025 TV Series. 

Zakir Hussain as Harihar

Pawan fails to find peace at home, and so does Deepak, mainly due to Harihar. Zakir Hussain shines as a very problematic character in this crime thriller as Harihar, who values his panchayat’s approval more than his son, Deepak’s life. Hussain, whom we have seen in movies like “Irani Chai,” “Mission Majnu,” “Srinagar,” “Dhadak 2,” “Ek Chatur Naar,” and “Ikkis,” has also worked in a handful of TV shows. Hussain was in “Farzi,” “Inspector Avinash,” “Glory,” “Chacha Vidhayak Hain Humare,” “Pop Kaun,” and “Duranga.” Harihar is a very strict father and loves to see traditional orthodox rules being upheld. However, Pawan gets into a fight with Harihar after he learns that the old man has taken his little son to the panchayat meeting that night, where they have discussed the possibility of killing Deepak.

Miscellaneous Cast 

Saharsh Kumar Shukla stars as Nirmal, one of the most dependable men of Anand Shri. Swastik Bhagat portrays Pawan’s son, while Saurabh Abrol joins the cast as Pawan’s younger brother. Suraksha Gaire is Preeti, the girl who has eloped with Deepak, while Durgesh Kumar, who has gained a huge spotlight for his work in “Panchayat,” is a panchayat member, and her big brother. For Keshav, we have Manish Chaudhary, who plays a very antagonistic role, constantly troubling Pawan.

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