Live: Fans gear up for Akshay-Saif's thriller
Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar are reuniting on the big screen after nearly 18 years with Priyadarshan’s dark thriller Haiwaan. The much-awaited collaboration has already sparked excitement among fans, but there’s a twist this time — the two actors, who have shared the screen in the past, return with a very different dynamic in this thriller.
The film stars Saif Ali Khan as Shyam, a visually impaired martial artist and caretaker who finds himself caught in a dangerous murder case. Akshay Kumar plays Parshuram, a ruthless and psychopathic killer who becomes the central antagonist. Promising a gripping cat-and-mouse chase, Haiwaan marks Priyadarshan’s shift from his trademark comedy to a darker, suspense-driven thriller. With the film releasing in theatres today, here’s everything you need to know before booking your tickets.
The supporting cast features Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Boman Irani, Sharib Hashmi, Rajesh Sharma and Rajpal Yadav, among others. The film also marks late actor Asrani’s final posthumous screen appearance.
Adding to the film’s star power, Mohanlal is also set to make a cameo in Haiwaan, as confirmed by director Priyadarshan.
While Haiwaan adds another chapter in the collaboration between Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan, the actor shared major takeaways from the film. In a post on social media, Akshay reflected on his experience of working in the film. The 59-year-old actor, who stars alongside Saif Ali Khan in the upcoming thriller, revealed that the film made him question the very idea of who is truly good or evil.
He also thanked fans for their continued love and support, while promising that Haiwaan will reveal a side of him that audiences have never seen before.
One of the X users wrote how the film dips in the second half.
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan's Haiwaan is the remake of Mohanlal's Malayalam film Oppam. The Hindi version leans into a darker, more brutal tone compared to the emotional suspense of the original Malayalam movie.
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan-starrer Haiwaan is seeing a subdued response in advance booking so far. Based on the current pre-sales trend, the Priyadarshan-directed thriller is likely to open below the Rs 5 crore mark, with the top national cinema chains expected to sell fewer than 10,000 tickets by the end of the advance window. The film will now rely heavily on spot bookings and positive word of mouth to overcome its lacklustre pre-release buzz.
Director Priyadarshan told India Today how Mohanla agreed for his cameo in Haiwaan. “He couldn’t believe it when I asked him, ‘Will you do this?’ He said, ‘I was the hero of the original film. Now what are you making me do here?’ But then he heard it and simply said, ‘Okay, I’m doing it,’” Priyadarshan recalled.
Actor Saiyami Kher, who stars alongside Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in Priyadarshan’s upcoming film Haiwaan, believes the project could be a landmark film in Saif’s career. In an exclusive conversation with India Today, Saiyami opened up about watching the two stars reunite on screen after nearly 18 years, the advice Akshay gave her on navigating the film industry, and the lively atmosphere on the sets of Haiwaan.
If you are planning to watch Haiwaan in theatres, know that the film is 164 minutes and 7 seconds (approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes). It also received a U/A 16+ rating on September 8, 2026.
