Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Haiwaan Review: Akshay-Saif Face-Off Powers Priyadarshan’s Gripping Hindi Thriller
Haiwaan is a thriller about a dangerous man named Parshuram and Shyam, a visually impaired man caught in a frightening situation.
Akshay Kumar plays Parshuram as quiet, unpredictable and very threatening.
Saif Ali Khan plays Shyam with calmness, intelligence and determination.
Their battle is both physical and psychological.
Paahal Chaudhary adds an important emotional part to the story.
The supporting actors, including Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar, strengthen the film.
Priyadarshan keeps the suspense moving with music and a tense background score.
The movie is adapted from the Malayalam film Oppam but gives the story a Hindi commercial treatment.
Haiwaan is a psychological action crime thriller directed by Priyadarshan and led by Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.
Akshay plays the menacing Parshuram, while Saif portrays Shyam, a visually impaired man relying on intelligence and instinct.
The film’s central confrontation combines physical danger with psychological tension and forms its strongest dramatic element.
Paahal Chaudhary is praised as a major revelation, while the supporting cast adds emotional and investigative depth.
Adapted from Priyadarshan’s Malayalam thriller Oppam, Haiwaan balances suspense, emotion and mainstream entertainment across 2 hours and 44 minutes.
- Who
- Akshay Kumar as Parshuram and Saif Ali Khan as Shyam are at the center, with Paahal Chaudhary and the supporting cast also contributing.
- What
- Haiwaan is a psychological action crime thriller about a dangerous antagonist confronting a visually impaired man.
- Where
- The film is presented as a Hindi theatrical thriller; a specific setting is not stated.
- Why
- The conflict develops as Shyam uses instinct, intelligence and resilience to survive Parshuram’s threat.
- Director
- Priyadarshan
- Lead cast
- Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan
- Runtime
- 2 hours 44 minutes
- Rating
- 4
- Source material
- Adapted from Priyadarshan’s Malayalam thriller Oppam
- Central conflict
- Parshuram’s menace versus Shyam’s intelligence, instinct and resilience
- Music and score
- Background score sustains the tension; Pritam’s songs include Mere Hero Hai and Rangiyaara