‘Haiwaan’ Begins an Exciting New Chapter for Priyadarshan With a Dark Thriller

Haiwaan is not just another star-cast thriller landing in theatres this September — it genuinely feels like a moment in Hindi cinema. When I first heard that Priyadarshan, the man behind our childhood comfort comedies like Hera Pheri and Bhagam Bhag, was directing a dark psychological thriller titled Haiwaan, I honestly did a double-take. This is the same director now bringing together Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan on screen after nearly two decades, and the trailer that dropped a few weeks ago has completely changed how the industry is talking about this film. 

In this Haiwaan movie review, I’m breaking everything, the story, the cast, the release date, the trailer, and why I think this could genuinely mark a turning point for Priyadarshan as a filmmaker. 

I’ve spent the last few days going through every trailer, teaser, interview, and behind-the-scenes snippet available for Haiwaan, and I want to walk you through exactly why this film has become one of the most-searched Bollywood titles this month, what makes its story so different from a typical masala thriller, and whether it’s actually worth your ticket money on release day. 

What Is Haiwaan? Story and Premise Explained 

At its core, Haiwaan (which literally translates to “Beast” or “Monster”) is a Hindi-language crime thriller co-written and directed by Priyadarshan. It’s produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films, backed by Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn. 

Here’s the twist that makes Haiwaan interesting from a storytelling standpoint: it’s actually a remake of Priyadarshan’s own 2016 Malayalam film Oppam, which starred Mohanlal as a visually impaired man with an extraordinarily heightened sense of smell, caught in a deadly game with a ruthless killer.  

In the Hindi version, that role has been reimagined for Saif Ali Khan, who plays a visually impaired protector trying to shield his family from a dangerous, vengeful predator played by Akshay Kumar. 

From what the trailer reveals, the plot revolves around a series of disturbing murders committed by Akshay Kumar’s unhinged, beanie-wearing character, and Saif Ali Khan’s blind protagonist unknowingly becomes entangled in his path.  

What starts as a hide-and-seek thriller soon spirals into something far more psychologically twisted, with the two characters’ fates converging in ways that are genuinely unsettling to watch even in a two-minute trailer. 

If you’re someone who enjoys the genre of gritty crime dramas, you’ll probably want to check out more titles like this in our thriller and crime series section, where we regularly cover similar dark, suspense-driven stories. 

Haiwaan Release Date and Where to Watch 

Let’s get the most practical part out of the way first, since this is what most people are searching for. The Haiwaan release date is confirmed as September 11, 2026, and the film will release worldwide in theatres on that day.

This is a pure theatrical release, meaning if you want to experience the film’s atmosphere and background score the way Priyadarshan intended, your local cinema hall is the only option at launch. 

For those already wondering about a digital release, here’s a numeric detail worth noting: in a major pre-release deal, Sony Pictures Networks has acquired the post-theatrical digital and satellite rights of Haiwaan for a reported ₹80 crore.  

This is a strong indicator of how much confidence trade insiders have in the film even before its theatrical run began. Based on typical Bollywood release patterns, you can expect Haiwaan to arrive on a streaming platform roughly 6 to 8 weeks after its theatrical window closes, most likely on a Sony-affiliated platform given the rights deal. 

If you like to plan your watchlist in advance, our upcoming movies section tracks confirmed release dates for every major film hitting theatres and OTT this year. 

Haiwaan Cast: Who’s Playing Who 

The Haiwaan cast is genuinely one of its biggest selling points, and it’s worth breaking down properly: 

• Akshay Kumar plays the antagonist, a vengeful, disturbed killer whose presence anchors the entire “monster” of the title. Early reactions suggest this could be one of his darkest and most unhinged performances since Ajnabee and Khiladi 420’s Dev. 

• Saif Ali Khan plays the visually impaired protagonist, a role reimagined from Mohanlal’s original performance in Oppam. Saif’s casting in a role built around vulnerability and heightened senses is a genuine departure from his usual screen presence. 

• Boman Irani appears in a pivotal role as a judge, adding gravity to the courtroom and moral-conflict angle of the story. 

• Saiyami Kher plays a police officer investigating the string of murders at the centre of the plot. 

• Shriya Pilgaonkar rounds out the principal cast in a key supporting role. 

• Mohanlal, the original lead of Oppam, makes a special cameo appearance in Haiwaan, a lovely nod connecting both versions of the story. 

• The film also features Sharib Hashmi, Rajesh Sharma, Rajpal Yadav, and Manoj Joshi in supporting roles. 

One emotional detail that stood out to me while researching this piece: Haiwaan marks the final film appearance of veteran actor Asrani, who passed away in October 2025. Knowing that this thriller carries his last on-screen performance adds an unexpected layer of poignancy to the release. 

Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan’s 17-Year Reunion 

If there’s one thing driving conversations around Haiwaan more than the plot itself, it’s the reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. The two actors are sharing screen space after 17 years, and their last memorable pairing was in Tashan back in 2008, with their very first collaboration going all the way back to Main Khiladi Tu Anari in 1994. 

What makes this reunion special isn’t just nostalgia, it’s the contrast in energy the two actors bring. Akshay’s manic, villainous intensity paired against Saif’s restrained, emotionally grounded performance gives Haiwaan a dynamic that most two-hero thrillers simply don’t have.  

Priyadarshan himself has spoken about wanting to show “a different Akshay Kumar,” someone who doesn’t look like every other film he’s done, and based on the trailer alone, that goal seems to have been achieved. 

Haiwaan Trailer Review: A Genuinely Chilling First Look 

Now let’s talk about the trailer itself, because this is where my actual first-hand reaction comes in. The Haiwaan trailer opens with Akshay Kumar’s character pleading in a genuinely unsettling voice, begging to be saved from someone who has “seen him” and intends to kill him.  

It’s a jarring opening because you don’t immediately know whether he’s the victim or the perpetrator, and that ambiguity is exactly the point. 

As the trailer unfolds, we learn that a series of brutal murders are being committed by this same character, and Saif Ali Khan’s visually impaired hero crosses paths with him almost by accident.  

The cinematography leans heavily into shadows, tight framing, and disorienting sound design, a clear departure from Priyadarshan’s usual visual comedy style.  

Around the two-minute mark, the trailer takes a genuinely mysterious turn, hinting that the identities and fates of both lead characters may converge in a way audiences won’t see coming. 

Musically, the background score by Ronnie Raphael, combined with Pritam’s music direction, adds a moody, tension-heavy layer that suits the genre perfectly. If the full film sustains even 70% of the trailer’s intensity, Haiwaan could easily be one of the more memorable thrillers of the year. 

Why Priyadarshan Calls Haiwaan “The Beginning of a New Chapter” 

In recent interviews, Priyadarshan has openly said that Haiwaan represents the start of a new phase in his filmmaking career. It’s a genuinely interesting statement coming from a director whose name became almost synonymous with slapstick comedy after the massive success of Hera Pheri.  

But long before that, Priyadarshan actually began his Hindi film career with serious, emotionally driven dramas like Gardish and Virasat, films that had nothing to do with comedy at all. 

According to Priyadarshan, his trajectory shifted almost by accident after Hera Pheri’s success pulled him deeper into the comedy genre for years.  

With Haiwaan, he’s consciously stepping back into the tone he started his career with, and he’s been quoted saying that he believes “a thriller has scope” in today’s theatrical market, a subtle acknowledgment that audiences are craving something darker and more mature after years of formulaic comedy releases. 

This context matters a lot when evaluating Haiwaan, because it isn’t just a genre experiment for a comedy director — it’s a genuine return to form. 

Haiwaan vs Oppam: How Different Is This Remake? 

Since Haiwaan is a remake of Oppam, it’s natural to wonder how faithful the adaptation really is. In the original Malayalam film, Mohanlal played a blind man with an extraordinary sense of smell, up against an antagonist named Vasu, portrayed by P. Samuthirakani.  

The Hindi version keeps the core premise, a visually impaired protagonist against a dangerous killer, but reportedly amplifies the psychological horror elements and gives the antagonist, played by Akshay Kumar, a far more disturbed and layered characterization. 

From the promotional material, it also looks like Haiwaan leans more into a “cat-and-mouse” thriller structure compared to the more grounded, family-drama tone of Oppam. Mohanlal’s cameo in Haiwaan is a nice bridge between both versions, almost like a symbolic passing of the torch to Saif Ali Khan’s character. 

For fans who enjoy comparing originals with their Hindi remakes, our Bollywood news section regularly covers these kinds of adaptation breakdowns in detail. 

Should You Watch Haiwaan? My Verdict 

Based on everything available so far, the trailer, the cast interviews, and Priyadarshan’s own comments about the film, my honest take is that Haiwaan has all the ingredients to be a genuinely gripping theatrical watch.  

The pairing of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after 17 years is reason enough for many viewers to book tickets, but what elevates this beyond nostalgia is the tonal shift Priyadarshan is attempting. 

If the film manages to hold onto the trailer’s unsettling atmosphere for its full runtime, without diluting it with unnecessary comic relief (a habit Priyadarshan has struggled to shake in some of his past thrillers), Haiwaan could end up being one of the most talked-about Bollywood releases of the year.  

I’d recommend watching it in a theatre rather than waiting for the OTT release, simply because a film this heavily reliant on sound design and atmosphere is best experienced on a big screen with proper sound. 

Once the film releases on September 11, we’ll be updating this space with a complete spoiler-free and spoiler review, so keep this page bookmarked. You can also browse our full movie reviews archive for more honest, first-hand takes on the latest Bollywood and Hollywood releases. 

Conclusion 

Haiwaan is shaping up to be far more than just another star-studded thriller, it’s Priyadarshan’s personal comeback to the kind of serious, emotionally intense cinema he started his career with, wrapped inside a genuinely chilling cat-and-mouse story.  

Between Akshay Kumar’s disturbing new avatar, Saif Ali Khan’s vulnerable, layered performance, and a reunion 17 years in the making, this is one release worth watching on the big screen rather than waiting for a streaming drop. 

That’s my complete pre-release breakdown of Haiwaan, its story, cast, release date, and everything the trailer tells us. Once the film hits theatres on September 11, I’ll be back with a full spoiler review sharing whether it actually lives up to this promise.  

Until then, let me know in the comments which part of the Haiwaan trailer got you the most hooked.

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