Director: Priyadarshan | Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar, Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Mohanlal, Asrani, Sharib Hashmi, Paahal Chaudhary | Duration: 2h 44m | Rating: 4/5
Mumbai, September 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Haiwaan finds its greatest strength in the compelling face-off between two accomplished actors placed on opposite sides of a dangerous conflict. Directed by Priyadarshan, the psychological action crime thriller brings Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan together after 18 years, and their reunion proves to be one of the film’s biggest attractions.
At its heart, Haiwaan is a tense cat-and-mouse game between a dangerous antagonist and Shyam, a visually impaired man who must depend on his instincts, intelligence and resilience to survive.
Akshay Kumar delivers one of his most menacing performances as Parshuram. Rather than playing the antagonist as a conventional loud and flamboyant Bollywood villain, Akshay creates menace through restraint. His controlled expressions, body language and measured intensity make Parshuram unpredictable and genuinely threatening. There is an unsettling calm to the character, making this one of Akshay’s more striking negative roles.
Saif Ali Khan is equally effective as Shyam. He avoids exaggerating the character’s visual impairment and instead builds the role around intelligence, determination and heightened instincts. Shyam is vulnerable but never helpless, and Saif’s understated performance makes the character’s predicament believable. His confrontational scenes with Akshay are particularly engaging.
The Akshay-Saif face-off is unquestionably the film’s central hook. Their conflict is as much psychological as physical. While Parshuram relies on physical dominance and confidence, Shyam must use observation, instinct and resilience. This contrast gives their encounters genuine tension and keeps the audience invested in the next move.
A major revelation is Paahal Chaudhary, who delivers an assured and emotionally convincing performance. She brings vulnerability and sincerity to the character without reducing her to a mere plot device. Her presence adds emotional weight to the thriller and makes the audience care more deeply about the outcome.
The supporting cast also strengthens the film. Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Boman Irani bring conviction to their respective roles, while Sharib Hashmi fits naturally into the investigative portions as a police officer. Veteran actor Asrani’s return is especially heartwarming, with his final on-screen appearance carrying added emotional significance.
With Haiwaan marking Priyadarshan’s 98th film, the filmmaker once again demonstrates his ability to balance suspense, emotion, drama and mainstream entertainment. At 2 hours and 44 minutes, the film is long, but its steady progression and strong performances prevent it from feeling excessively stretched.
The background score plays an important role in sustaining the thriller’s momentum. It builds anticipation effectively during confrontational sequences without overwhelming the performances. Pritam’s songs are also integrated into the narrative, with Mere Hero Hai Woh adding an emotional layer and Rangiyaara complementing the travel portions.
The film is adapted from Priyadarshan’s Malayalam thriller Oppam, something audiences familiar with the original will immediately recognise. However, the Hindi version brings its own staging and commercial treatment to the material. Mohanlal’s special appearance, reprising his presence from the original, provides a welcome link between the two films.
Ultimately, Haiwaan works because its central elements complement one another. Akshay supplies the menace, Saif provides the emotional and human core, and Paahal Chaudhary emerges as an unexpected revelation. Priyadarshan keeps the suspense moving while balancing the demands of a mainstream theatrical thriller.
The Akshay-Saif confrontation remains the beating heart of the film. Their contrasting performances ensure that the conflict never feels like a routine hero-versus-villain battle. Haiwaan may be based on familiar material, but its performances, atmosphere and assured execution give it enough conviction to deliver a satisfying big-screen experience.
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