Priyadarshan’s Haiwaan arrives as a gritty thriller that brings Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan together in a dramatically different space from their earlier collaborations. The film hit cinemas on September 11, 2026, and builds its story around a tense face-off between two characters standing on opposite sides of the conflict.
Instead of relying on a straightforward commercial action formula, Priyadarshan puts atmosphere, suspense and character-driven drama at the centre of the narrative.
What immediately stands out is Akshay Kumar’s departure from his conventional heroic image. In Haiwaan, the actor embraces an unusually dark avatar and gives his character a gritty and unsettling quality. He maintains a heroic screen presence even while operating from a morally darker space, making his performance the film’s biggest attractions.
Saif Ali Khan, meanwhile, brings remarkable restraint to his role. He builds the character through expressions and controlled body language. His character constantly carries an aura of intelligence and danger, and that controlled intensity becomes particularly effective during the film’s suspenseful stretches.
Haiwaan Review: ⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
Akshay Kumar in His Darkest Performances
Akshay Kumar has experimented with negative and grey-shaded characters before, but Haiwaan gives him the opportunity to inhabit a considerably harsher personality. The actor plays a character far removed from the familiar comic and patriotic roles audiences have repeatedly seen him portray.
The film’s first look had already hinted at a serious confrontation between Kumar and Saif, with the promotional material positioning the story around vengeance and a dangerous conflict.
Saif Ali Khan Is Equally Impressive
The actor plays a visually challenged character who becomes central to the thriller’s conflict. Saif builds the role through observation, movement and controlled expressions. He avoids overplaying the character and instead creates a personality that feels intelligent, vulnerable and determined.
Saif has previously spoken about the rewarding experience of working with Priyadarshan. He praised the filmmaker’s clarity and discipline and described the collaboration as particularly valuable at this stage of his career.
The reunion between Akshay and Saif also serves as the film’s biggest selling points. However, Haiwaan deliberately places them in a darker dramatic equation instead of recreating the comic chemistry associated with their earlier collaborations. Saif has previously described their dynamic as different from the masti and banter audiences may remember from their previous work.
Story and Screenplay Keep the Tension Alive
The opening portions move comparatively slowly because the film takes time to establish its characters, motivations and central conflict. This setup ultimately works because the later developments benefit from the groundwork established during the first act.
Once the story gathers momentum, Haiwaan becomes increasingly tense. The film integrates its dramatic high points into the screenplay rather than presenting them as isolated action sequences.
[ BOX OFFICE ]: Mirzapur The Movie Box Office Collection Day-Wise: ₹212.44 Cr Worldwide in Week 1
Young Pahal Chaudhary Leaves an Impression
Young Pahal Chaudhary emerges as another pleasant surprise. Her performance brings maturity to the film’s emotional portions and strengthens the stakes surrounding the central conflict.
She does not merely function as a plot device. Her screen presence contributes meaningfully to the story, and she holds her own alongside established performers.
Veteran actor Asrani also makes his appearance count and brings an unforgettable touch to his portion.
BGM Becomes Another Character
The music frequently works like a second storyteller, especially during the film’s high-tension moments. Instead of merely accompanying the action, the score helps establish fear, anticipation and uncertainty.
Several scenes gain additional impact through the sound design and BGM. Together, these elements create a more atmospheric experience than a routine action thriller.
Final Verdict
Haiwaan works best when it embraces its darker identity. The film takes some time to establish its world, but once the central conflict takes shape, the suspense and performances carry the narrative forward.
Akshay Kumar emerges as the biggest surprise, delivering a gritty and spine-chilling performance in a dramatically different avatar. Saif Ali Khan matches him with a compelling performance built around restraint and intelligence. He creates a character who commands attention without relying on excessive theatrics.
