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Haiwaan Review: Akshay and Saif Lead a Divisive Thriller
Haiwaan is a thriller about a blind man named Shyam who tries to protect a young girl.
Shyam uses his intelligence and strong sense of smell to live independently.
A man named Parshuram seeks revenge after being wrongly convicted of a crime.
Parshuram targets people connected to his old case, including the girl and her father.
Saif Ali Khan plays Shyam, and Akshay Kumar plays Parshuram.
Some viewers liked how intense and different the movie felt.
They especially praised the two actors, the music and the ending.
Another review said the story felt familiar and predictable.
The film also includes some comedy and a police-investigation subplot.
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan reunite onscreen after 18 years in Priyadarshan’s Haiwaan.
The film remakes the Malayalam thriller Oppam, though reports say its climax differs from the original.
Saif plays blind residential-society manager Shyam, while Akshay portrays revenge-driven antagonist Parshuram Gokhale.
The performances, cinematography, music and cat-and-mouse confrontations received praise from several viewers and critics.
One review found the story predictable and criticized the timing, genre fatigue and police-investigation subplot, while netizens called it compelling and captivating.
- Who
- Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Priyadarshan, Boman Irani and the other Haiwaan cast; viewers and critics also reviewed the film.
- What
- Haiwaan, a Hindi thriller and remake of the Malayalam film Oppam, was released and received mixed critical and audience reactions.
- Where
- In theatres, with the story set partly in Mumbai.
- When
- The film was released in theatres on September 11; one audience review referred to it as a 2026 film.
- Why
- The film follows Shyam’s attempt to protect Nandini from Parshuram, who is seeking revenge against people connected to his wrongful conviction.
Critical Reservations
Audience Praise
Story and originality
Critical Reservations
One review found the remake familiar and predictable, saying it suffers from a redundant story and genre fatigue.
Audience Praise
Some netizens said the different climax makes the film more engaging than the original and called it a powerful, compelling thriller.
Performances
Critical Reservations
The review praised both leads but argued that their performances cannot fully compensate for limited exploration elsewhere in the film.
Audience Praise
Viewers strongly praised Saif’s restrained performance and Akshay’s psychologically challenging villain, calling them the film’s major strengths.
Execution and technical style
Critical Reservations
The review said the film loses momentum through its subplot and police investigation, and that visual techniques alone do not make every scene gripping.
Audience Praise
Netizens praised the cinematography by Divakar Mani, Ronnie Raphael’s background score and Priyadarshan’s direction.
Key facts
- Director
- Priyadarshan
- Lead actors
- Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan
- Source film
- Oppam, starring Mohanlal
- Saif’s character
- Shyam, an independent blind residential-society manager
- Akshay’s character
- Parshuram Gokhale, a man pursuing revenge
- Runtime
- Nearly two and a half hours, according to one review
- Music and score
- Music by Pritam; background score by Ronnie Raphael
Quotes
A moviegoer
An audience member who reviewed the film online
“#AkshayKumar transforms into a full-time #Haiwaan and surprises with his psychologically challenging character that has dark shades with mental elements attached to it.”
republicworld.com
“There’s something genuinely exciting about watching two stars known for their comic chemistry step into a completely different world.”
republicworld.com
Sumit Kadel
Trade analyst who reviewed the film
“Yes, it is a remake of #Oppam, but the climax is different, and the film is even more engaging.”
republicworld.com
Sources
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