Netflix’s recently released cop drama Kartavya, starring Saif Ali Khan, introduced audiences to Yudhvir Ahlawat, who won praise for his portrayal of teenage character Harpal. While many viewers assumed he was a teenager in real life, Yudhvir is actually 33. The actor has now revealed that even Saif Ali Khan was initially convinced he was much younger.Yudhvir shared how the response to his performance has been overwhelming. “It feels amazing. People have been sending me messages saying they loved my work. This is the day I had been waiting for. I’m constantly replying to everyone in my DMs,” he said in an interview with Kadak. Recalling how he bagged the role, Yudhvir said the opportunity came through casting director Mukesh Chhabra’s team. Having previously worked with Red Chillies Entertainment, he was invited to audition for the role of Harpal.“This was my second time working with Red Chillies, and it was a great experience. I got a call from Mukesh Chhabra’s team saying they were casting for a film called Kartavya and wanted to test me for the role of Harpal. I gave the audition, and after one or two takes, they told me I had done well. Somewhere, I also felt I would end up doing this film. A week later, I got a call from Red Chillies saying I was locked for the part.”The actor also said that his youthful appearance has earned him plenty of compliments, especially from female fans.“Many of them tell me I look very young and call me cute,” he shared.Yudhvir further revealed that a remark made by Saif Ali Khan during an interview unexpectedly became a viral moment. According to him, the actor had picked Harpal as one of his favourite characters in the film and admitted he had assumed Yudhvir was actually a teenager.“Saif sir was asked in an interview about his favourite scene from the film. He started praising me and said, ‘Harpal is very good. I treated him like a 16-year-old. But then Pulkit sir (director) told him that I’m actually 33 years old. He was shocked upon hearing.’ That clip went viral,” he recalled.He added that Saif wasn’t the only one fooled by his appearance. Yudhvir said most of the cast and crew initially believed he was a child actor until director Pulkit clarified his real age.“In the beginning, everyone treated me like a child artist. Later, Pulkit sir told everyone that I was actually 33 years old. After that, people like Sanjay Mishra sir and the rest started treating me like any other adult actor,” he said.Yudhvir Ahlawat made his film debut with Saand Ki Aankh, starring Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar. He later appeared in Shamshera alongside Ranbir Kapoor and featured in Love Hostel with Bobby Deol and Vikrant Massey. Thanks to his youthful looks, he continues to convincingly play teenage characters despite being in his thirties. Apart from films, he has also been part of director Feroz Abbas Khan’s acclaimed stage production Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical, performing both in India and internationally.
