Journalist-turned-actor Saurabh Dwivedi has come under heavy criticism on social media after his acting debut in the Saif Ali Khan-led crime drama Kartavya, which began streaming on Netflix on May 15. While the film has been praised for its gritty storytelling, viewers have singled out Dwivedi’s performance-particularly his dialogue delivery and facial expressions-as a weak point in an otherwise well-received release.
Users on X mocked Dwivedi’s line delivery and compared him unfavourably to actor Arjun Kapoor in several viral posts. Some critics said his screen presence resembled “anchoring” more than traditional acting, a recurring theme in the online reaction to his turn as a powerful spiritual figure tied to the film’s central murder investigation.
Directed by Pulkit and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, Kartavya stars Saif Ali Khan as an honest police officer who probes a killing connected to the influential character played by Dwivedi. The film’s supporting cast includes established names such as Sanjay Mishra, and the production’s release on Netflix has prompted wide discussion across streaming audiences.
Before the film’s release, Dwivedi acknowledged his lack of prior acting experience and described working alongside veterans like Saif Ali Khan and Sanjay Mishra as a “completely new challenge,” comments that have resurfaced amid the backlash.
Speaking to IANS about how actors differentiate similar roles in a crowded crime-drama space, Saif said the key is to “play the person, not just like a cop. So people are obviously different.” He added that a director’s vision and a producer’s choices help shape a distinct tone: “If I have to do the same thing again, you know the rooted cop with the dialect, somehow the director creates a different environment… I guess if you are true to yourself, there is nobody like you.”
Co-star Rasika Dugal echoed that view, telling IANS that even within the same genre “everybody’s script is different” and that new voices, experiences and perspectives make each project unique. Her remarks underline a broader industry point: while performances will be debated, creators and actors say they aim to bring individual nuance to familiar formats.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2026/05/18/netizens-pan-saurabh-dwivedis-debut-performance-in-kartavya/
Category: ENTERTAINMENT BUZZ
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Publish Date: 2026-05-18 05:38:00
