A heartland noir that calculates the cost of conscience, ‘Kartavya’ struggles under the weight of structural sanitisation, a flattened antagonist, and misplaced star service.

A heartland noir that calculates the cost of conscience, ‘Kartavya’ struggles under the weight of structural sanitisation, a flattened antagonist, and misplaced star service.

Saif Ali Khan's Kartavya turns a small-town murder probe into a study of caste, crime and duty. The film's ideas land, but its soft-edged execution blunts the force of its anger.