Journalist-turned-actor Saurabh Dwivedi has unexpectedly found himself at the center of social media debate after making his acting debut in the Netflix film Kartavya. The film, which premiered on Netflix on May 15, stars Saif Ali Khan in the lead role and revolves around a gripping investigation involving crime, power, and social tensions. While many viewers appreciated the film’s intense narrative and Saif Ali Khan’s performance, Dwivedi’s acting has drawn mixed reactions online.
Soon after the movie started streaming, several clips featuring Saurabh Dwivedi began circulating across social media platforms. Many viewers pointed out that his dialogue delivery felt more like a newsroom presentation than a cinematic performance. Some users described his acting as stiff and expressionless, while others joked that it looked as if he was reading from a news script rather than performing in a film scene.
The criticism quickly turned into memes and sarcastic comments. One user wrote that Dwivedi appeared to be conducting an interview instead of acting, noting his calm tone and long pauses between dialogues. Another user remarked that watching his performance suddenly made them appreciate Arjun Kapoor’s acting more than before. A few others went even further, suggesting that even controversial film critic Kamaal R Khan might have delivered a better performance.
Despite the trolling, Saurabh Dwivedi had earlier shared how the opportunity to act in Kartavya came unexpectedly. In a detailed Instagram post before the film’s release, he revealed that filmmaker Pulkit had contacted him nearly three and a half years ago to discuss a possible role in the project. Dwivedi admitted that he had no acting experience and even told the director that he had never performed on stage. However, the filmmakers believed that his on-screen presence from interviews could suit a particular character and decided to cast him.
In the film, Dwivedi plays Anand Shri, a character who becomes part of the central investigation. The story follows Saif Ali Khan’s character, Pawan Malik, a disciplined police officer assigned to a sensitive case in a village called Jhamli. The plot begins with the murder of a journalist who was investigating a child abuse network linked to a powerful spiritual group. As the investigation unfolds, several hidden connections begin to surface, and suspicion falls on multiple characters, including Anand Shri.
Alongside the criminal investigation, the film also explores personal conflicts faced by the protagonist. Pawan Malik struggles with family tensions after his brother elopes with a woman from a different caste, adding another emotional layer to the storyline.
The film runs for around 147 minutes and has generated significant buzz since its release. While some viewers praised the gripping premise and the performances of the lead cast, others felt that the screenplay could have been stronger. Amid these mixed reactions, Saurabh Dwivedi’s brief but noticeable role has become one of the most talked-about aspects of the film online.
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For Dwivedi, who built his reputation as a journalist before stepping into the world of cinema, the debut has certainly brought attention. Whether the criticism affects his future in acting or becomes just another learning experience remains to be seen, but his appearance in Kartavya has undeniably sparked a conversation across social media.