Journalist-turned-actor Saurabh Dwivedi has been at the center of online ridicule following his screen debut in Kartavya, a crime thriller starring Saif Ali Khan. The project's initial hype shifted to Dwivedi's performance, with viewers criticizing his vocal delivery and body language.
Rajpal Yadav's Instagram post featuring a royal armchair sparked speculation that he was taking a jab at Dwivedi, who uses a similar chair in the movie. The tension between the two actors dates back to the Chetak Screen Awards 2026, where Dwivedi cut off Rajpal's mic and made a sarcastic comment about his financial debts.
Rajpal has been dealing with a cheque bounce case, where he acquired a business loan for his 2012 directorial project, Ata Pata Laapata, but failed to repay it. He eventually served a six-month sentence and cleared a portion of the debt in 2025.
Kartavya, which premiered on Netflix on May 15, 2026, follows a murder case handled by an upright lawman, Saif Ali Khan's character, Pawan. The slow-burn crime narrative explores systemic corruption and elite political influence.
