Saif Ali Khan to Play a Cop in Shah Rukh Khan-Produced Netflix Film 'Kartavya'

Saif Ali Khan is set to headline the investigative drama Kartavya, produced by Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, with the film officially announced as part of Netflix India’s 2026 slate. The first look was unveiled at the streamer’s Next on Netflix India event, positioning the project as one of the platform’s key Hindi originals for the coming year.

In Kartavya, Khan plays police officer Pawan Malik, a man forced to confront the personal cost of professional duty as threats escalate around him. The story follows Malik as he navigates a moral crossroads, balancing his responsibilities as a law enforcement officer against the safety of his family. The film’s central conflict is framed around questions of justice, conscience, and the limits of duty.

Directed by Pulkit, who previously collaborated with Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment on Bhakshak, the film also stars Rasika Dugal and Sanjay Mishra in prominent roles. Journalist Saurabh Dwivedi makes his acting debut with the project, marking a notable career shift after his departure from digital news platform The Lallantop.

Netflix shared the announcement with a teaser message that read: “Dharm aur karm ke yuddh mein, kya kartavya jeet payega?” The film will stream exclusively on Netflix, with a release date yet to be announced.

Kartavya marks a reunion of sorts between Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan, who last appeared together on screen in Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), though this time their collaboration is behind the camera.

Alongside Kartavya, Netflix also announced another Saif Ali Khan-led project titled Hum Hindustani. Directed by Rahul Dholakia, the film is set in post-Independence India and follows a group of officials tasked with conducting the country’s first democratic election amid resistance and unrest. The cast includes Pratik Gandhi, and the film is inspired by real events.