Haiwaan is one of the most talked-about Bollywood releases of September 2026, mainly because it brings Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan together on screen after a long gap. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film is a Hindi adaptation of his 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam. Released in theatres on September 11, 2026, Haiwaan attempts to combine crime, suspense, action, emotion and comedy into one story.
The film has an interesting basic idea: a visually impaired man becomes involved in a dangerous murder mystery and must protect an innocent young girl from a ruthless enemy. Unfortunately, while the concept has plenty of potential, the execution is inconsistent. Some scenes create genuine tension, while others feel unnecessarily stretched.
Haiwaan Rating: 2.5/5
If you enjoy Bollywood crime thrillers and want to see Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan share the screen again, the film may be worth watching once. But if you are expecting a tightly written, consistently gripping thriller from beginning to end, Haiwaan may leave you disappointed.
Haiwaan Story
The story revolves around Shyam Rane, played by Saif Ali Khan. Shyam is visually impaired and works as a maintenance manager in an upscale Mumbai residential complex. Although he cannot see, he has developed strong senses that allow him to understand his surroundings in unusual ways.
His life changes after he becomes connected to a murder case involving a retired judge, played by Boman Irani. The judge has a connection with Parshuram Gokhale, played by Akshay Kumar, a dangerous man seeking revenge. Shyam eventually finds himself responsible for protecting the judge’s daughter while trying to stay ahead of Parshuram.
The story then develops into a cat-and-mouse chase between Shyam and Parshuram. The basic premise provides enough material for an exciting thriller, but the movie takes a long time to reach its strongest moments.
Saif Ali Khan’s Performance
Saif Ali Khan is one of the major reasons to watch Haiwaan. His character is physically vulnerable but mentally alert, which gives him an unusual challenge as an actor.
Saif brings seriousness and emotional weight to several scenes. Critics have generally highlighted his performance as one of the film’s stronger elements, although some reviews have questioned the believability of his portrayal of a visually impaired character. (Hindustan Times)
The character also allows Saif to move away from some of his more familiar roles. His restrained performance works particularly well when Shyam has to depend on sound, touch and instinct instead of sight.
Akshay Kumar as the Villain
Akshay Kumar plays Parshuram, the principal antagonist of the film. The role is considerably darker than the straightforward comedy and action characters that audiences often associate with him.
Akshay gives the character an intimidating presence, and his face-offs with Saif are among the film’s more interesting moments. However, the villain does not always feel as threatening as the story wants him to be.
Priyadarshan’s Direction
Priyadarshan knows the material extremely well because he directed the original Oppam. That familiarity is both a strength and a weakness.
The director successfully creates a few atmospheric and suspenseful sequences. The climax, in particular, has more urgency and tension than several earlier portions of the film.
However, Haiwaan struggles to maintain a consistent tone. The film moves between thriller, comedy, action and emotional drama. Instead of always complementing each other, these elements sometimes make the story feel disconnected.
The screenplay also contains several subplots that could have been shortened. Multiple reviews have pointed toward the film’s uneven writing and excessive length as major weaknesses.
First Half vs Second Half
The first half establishes the characters and central conflict, but the pace is not always smooth. The movie takes considerable time before the main thriller elements become fully engaging.
This is particularly noticeable because the film has a runtime of around 2 hours and 44 minutes, which makes the slower sections feel even longer.
The second half contains more suspense and confrontation. Once Shyam and Parshuram’s conflict becomes the main focus, the movie becomes more interesting.
The climax is arguably the section where Haiwaan comes closest to delivering the intense thriller promised by its premise. However, even the final act has received mixed reactions from critics.
Supporting Cast
The supporting cast includes Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar, among others. Boman Irani adds experience and credibility to the drama, while the supporting actors help keep the story moving.
Some reviews have also appreciated the contributions of actors such as Rajpal Yadav and Asrani.
One of the film’s talking points is a Mohanlal cameo, which has generated considerable attention among audiences familiar with the original Malayalam film.
Music and Comedy
Music is not among the strongest aspects of Haiwaan. Several reviews have criticised the songs and their placement, arguing that they interrupt rather than improve the thriller’s momentum.
Priyadarshan’s trademark humour is also present. Some lighter moments work, but the comedy occasionally clashes with the darker subject matter.
In a serious murder thriller, maintaining the right balance between humour and suspense is important. Haiwaan does not always find that balance.
What Works in Haiwaan?
The film has several positive elements:
- Saif Ali Khan gives a committed performance.
- Akshay Kumar brings a different shade to his character.
- The basic story has strong thriller potential.
- Some chase and confrontation sequences are effective.
- The final act provides better suspense.
- The reunion of Akshay and Saif is an obvious attraction.
- Priyadarshan creates a few memorable atmospheric moments.
Early audience reactions have also praised the lead performances and the darker storyline, although opinions about the pacing have been divided.
What Doesn’t Work?
The biggest problem is the screenplay. The story has a promising foundation, but too many subplots and tonal changes reduce the impact.
The long runtime is another issue. At nearly 165 minutes, the movie demands patience from viewers, especially during slower portions.
The remake factor may also affect viewers who have already watched Oppam. Some critics have described Haiwaan as being too faithful to the original without developing enough of its own identity.
Haiwaan Final Verdict
Overall, Haiwaan is an uneven crime thriller with a strong concept and some good performances but an inconsistent screenplay. Saif Ali Khan is one of the film’s biggest strengths, while Akshay Kumar gets an opportunity to play a darker character. Priyadarshan delivers several effective suspense sequences, especially toward the climax.
However, the slow pacing, lengthy runtime, unnecessary subplots, tonal inconsistencies and mixed execution stop the movie from becoming a genuinely memorable thriller. Critics’ ratings have generally landed between 2 and 3 stars out of 5, reflecting this mixed response.
Note: This review reflects the film’s early critical and audience response following its September 11, 2026 theatrical release.
