‘Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan never become a hindrance to any project’: Kartavya producer Ashish Singh

Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, Kartavya premieres on Netflix on May 15, 2026, starring Saif Ali Khan in the lead role.

Bollywood actor Saif Ali Khan is gearing up for his return to screens with Netflix’s upcoming crime drama Kartavya. On Wednesday, the platform dropped the intense trailer of the film, teasing a gritty world filled with corruption, moral conflict, and personal loss. Alongside Saif, the film features a powerful ensemble cast including Rasika Dugal, Sanjay Mishra, Zakir Hussain, Manish Chaudhari and Saurabh Dwivedi. The film is backed by Gauri Khan and Shah Rukh Khan’s banner Red Chillies Entertainment.

Producer reveals how Shah Rukh Khan shapes content at Red Chillies Entertainment

Producer reveals Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s involvement in Kartavya

During the trailer launch event, producer Ashish Singh spoke about how actively involved Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan remain throughout the filmmaking process while still giving directors the freedom to shape their vision. He shared, “Gauri has been completely involved right from the day the script was locked. We have a system in place wherein both Shah Rukh sir and Gauri ma’am give inputs that are incorporated in the film, and through the process, they’re very much involved to know what’s happening, where we are in terms of the shooting, the budget, etc. They have a final say on the final product, but they give a lot of flexibility to the director, and it’s up to the director to take it or not take it.”

According to him, Shah Rukh Khan’s sharp marketing instincts come into play once the film is complete, helping position the project for audiences in the best possible way. “Of course, the marketing mind of Shah Rukh sir comes in once the film is ready. So, yes, they both are involved, but they never become a hindrance to a project,” he concluded.

Saif Ali Khan plays a cop caught between duty and family

In Kartavya, Saif essays the role of Pawan, a police officer whose life spirals into chaos after a journalist is shot while under his protection. As pressure mounts from both the public and his superiors, Pawan launches a relentless hunt to track down the attacker.

But the investigation soon turns deeply personal. While uncovering a dangerous web of corruption and influence, Pawan also finds his family caught in the crossfire. A conflict involving his brother escalates into direct threats against his loved ones, forcing him to choose between his responsibilities as an officer and his role as a protector at home.

Saif Ali Khan on what drew him to Kartavya

Speaking about the film, Saif said that what fascinated him most about Kartavya was its emotional and moral complexity. “Pawan is a man constantly negotiating with himself, between what he believes is right, what’s expected of him, and what he must protect. What drew me to Kartavya is that it doesn’t offer easy answers; it puts you in uncomfortable spaces and forces you to ask what you would do when every choice comes at a personal cost,” he said.

The actor also described working with director Pulkit and the ensemble cast as an exciting and creatively fulfilling experience. Saif further added, “Working with Pulkit and the entire cast made this journey even more compelling and thrilling. It’s been especially exciting to collaborate with Red Chillies Entertainment for the first time on a project as layered as Kartavya. We’re excited for audiences across the world to engage with this story on Netflix.”

When and where to watch Kartavya

Directed and written by Pulkit, Kartavya brings together a strong ensemble cast led by Saif Ali Khan alongside Rasika Dugal, Sanjay Mishra, Zakir Hussain, and Manish Chaudhari. The crime drama is slated to premiere globally on Netflix on May 15, 2026.