Haiwaan Review: Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan Lead an Uneven Thriller by Priyadarshan, Saved by Its Final Act

Haiwaan Review: Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan's Thriller Has Promise, But Takes Too Long to Find Its Rhythm

The reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after nearly two decades comes with plenty of expectations. Add veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan to the mix and Haiwaan arrives with the promise of a dark, suspense-driven thriller unlike the broad comedies for which the director and Akshay have often been associated.

Released in theatres on September 11, 2026, Haiwaan puts Saif in the role of a visually impaired man and Akshay in a significantly darker antagonist role. The film is a Hindi adaptation of Priyadarshan's Malayalam thriller Oppam.

The result is uneven but not without merit.

A promising premise

At the heart of Haiwaan is a potentially gripping conflict: a visually impaired protagonist finds himself caught in a dangerous situation involving a ruthless killer.

Saif's character, Shyam, is forced to rely on his heightened senses and instincts rather than sight. Akshay, meanwhile, plays Parshuram, a menacing character whose presence gives the film its central threat.

On paper, the ingredients are perfect for a tense thriller.

And there are moments when Priyadarshan manages to create exactly that atmosphere.

The first half is the biggest problem

Unfortunately, the film takes too long to get going.

The opening portions are relatively slow, and the screenplay spends considerable time establishing its characters and circumstances without generating enough suspense. One review particularly criticised the film's weak writing, logic loopholes and long runtime, arguing that the potentially strong thriller ingredients aren't used effectively.

The tonal shifts also don't always work.

Priyadarshan's instinct for comedy occasionally enters scenes that otherwise demand seriousness, making some moments feel unintentionally light rather than genuinely tense.

Saif Ali Khan is the film's emotional anchor

Saif delivers one of the more interesting performances in the film.

Playing a visually impaired character requires him to communicate fear, alertness and determination without relying on conventional visual cues. His performance works best in sequences where Shyam has to navigate danger using sound and instinct.

The character also gives Saif the opportunity to move away from the conventional action-hero template.

Akshay Kumar embraces the dark side

Akshay's casting as the villain was one of the film's biggest talking points even before release.

His character is considerably removed from the comic roles audiences have frequently associated with his recent collaborations with Priyadarshan. The filmmaker had described the character as a “psycho”, signalling that Akshay was entering genuinely darker territory.

However, reviews have differed on the effectiveness of his villainous performance. While social-media reactions have praised his screen presence and the unusual face-off with Saif, some critics felt that the character does not receive enough depth or menace.

The final act provides the much-needed lift

Where Haiwaan becomes considerably more engaging is in its later stretch.

The investigation and confrontation gain momentum, allowing the film's central conflict to finally take centre stage. The tension between Shyam and Parshuram becomes more compelling as the stakes rise.

This is also where the film's thriller machinery works better, with the suspense, action and emotional stakes coming together more effectively.

It doesn't completely erase the weaknesses of the first half, but it does make the overall experience more satisfying than it initially appears.

Supporting cast adds value

The supporting cast includes Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Sharib Hashmi, Rajpal Yadav, Rajesh Sharma and Manoj Joshi.

Boman Irani, in particular, has been noted positively for his performance, while Rajpal Yadav provides some of the lighter moments.

However, the number of subplots sometimes contributes to the screenplay feeling overcrowded.

Verdict

Haiwaan is neither the gripping thriller its premise promises nor a complete disappointment.

The Akshay-Saif reunion is interesting, Saif's performance gives the film emotional weight and Akshay's attempt at a darker character provides a different shade to their familiar screen pairing.

But the slow first half, uneven screenplay, lengthy runtime and tonal inconsistencies prevent the film from reaching its full potential. Critics have consequently landed on mixed verdicts, with The Indian Express calling it an inconsistent thriller that struggles to create emotional investment.

The final act is the film's saving grace, delivering more of the suspense and confrontation that audiences came expecting.

Our verdict: 2.5/5

Haiwaan is worth considering if you're interested in seeing Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in dramatically different roles, but don't expect a consistently taut thriller from beginning to end.