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Kartavya

Kartavya is the title of at least two Indian Hindi-language films.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Kartavya is the title of at least two Indian Hindi-language films. The most recent is a 2026 crime drama directed by Pulkit and starring Saif Ali Khan, while an earlier 1995 action film was directed by Raj Kanwar and starred Sanjay Kapoor and Juhi Chawla. In Hindi, the word *kartavya* means 'duty'.

1995 film

The 1995 film *Kartavya* is an Indian Hindi-language action film directed by Raj Kanwar. It stars Sanjay Kapoor and Juhi Chawla. The plot follows Karan, who discovers the truth about his birth parentage and seeks revenge for his mother's suffering.

2026 film

The 2026 film *Kartavya* is a Hindi-language crime drama written and directed by Pulkit. It was released on 15 May 2026 and stars Saif Ali Khan, Rasika Dugal, Sanjay Mishra, and Zakir Hussain. The film follows a police officer who faces a conflict between professional duty and personal responsibilities.

Title and meaning

The word *kartavya* is Hindi for 'duty'. This meaning aligns with the themes of both films, which involve responsibility, justice, and moral obligation.

Title disambiguation

The title *Kartavya* is not unique to one film. A user asking about *Kartavya* may refer to either the 1995 film or the 2026 film, so details such as cast, director, and release date depend on which film is intended.

Key facts

  • Kartavya is the title of more than one Indian Hindi-language film.
  • The 1995 film is an action film directed by Raj Kanwar starring Sanjay Kapoor and Juhi Chawla.
  • The 2026 film is a crime drama written and directed by Pulkit starring Saif Ali Khan.
  • The word kartavya means 'duty' in Hindi.
  • Because the title is shared, the answer to questions about cast, director, and release date depends on which Kartavya is meant.
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Canadian context

Indian Hindi-language films such as *Kartavya* are part of the broader South Asian cinema consumed by Canadian audiences, especially within Canada’s large Indo-Canadian communities.

Frequently asked questions

What is Kartavya about?
If referring to the 1995 film, it follows Karan, who discovers his true parentage and seeks revenge for his mother's suffering. If referring to the 2026 film, it follows a police officer confronting crime and duty.
Who starred in Kartavya?
The 1995 film starred Sanjay Kapoor and Juhi Chawla. The 2026 film starred Saif Ali Khan, Rasika Dugal, Sanjay Mishra, and Zakir Hussain.
When was Kartavya released?
The 1995 film was released in 1995. The 2026 film was released on 15 May 2026.
Who directed Kartavya?
The 1995 film was directed by Raj Kanwar. The 2026 film was written and directed by Pulkit.
Is Kartavya a Bollywood movie?
Yes. Both known films titled *Kartavya* are Indian Hindi-language films, which are generally described as Bollywood productions.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartavya_(1995_film)
    Supports: Identifies the 1995 Hindi-language film, its director Raj Kanwar, and stars Sanjay Kapoor and Juhi Chawla.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113528/plotsummary/
    Supports: Provides the plot summary for the 1995 film.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/kartavya_2026
    Supports: Identifies the 2026 film’s director Pulkit, cast, genre, language, and runtime.
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kartavya_(2026_film)
    Supports: States that the 2026 film is a Hindi-language crime drama written and directed by Pulkit and released on 15 May 2026.