'Haiwaan' Review, Akshay Kumar And Saif Ali Khan Power A Faceoff That Is Engaging But Cluttered
'Haiwaan' is a remake of 'Oppam,' which was also directed by Priyadarshan and released in 2016. The film features Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles.
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Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleHaiwaan marks Priyadarshan's return to his Malayalam film Oppam. The difference here is that Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan are leading a thriller set in Mumbai about a blind facility manager and a revenge-driven killer. Built on a proven premise of sensory instinct versus brutal vengeance, the film carries both promise and excess.
With Boman Irani as judge 'Pradhan', Asrani as guard 'Hussain,' and a brief Mohanlal cameo, it aims for glossy suspense but struggles to stay tight, focused, and consistently tense throughout.
Tight setup gives way to loose thrills
Haiwaan brings Priyadarshan back to his own Malayalam hit Oppam, now shifted from Kochi to Mumbai. The basic plot remains unchanged. A blind facility manager who knows every sound and smell in his building faces a man released from a mental hospital who has returned for revenge.
The film runs close to 165 minutes, and the length is felt early. There is a village track about family debt and a sister's wedding, three songs that do not stay in memory, and a lot of setup before the central conflict starts. The idea itself is strong and already proven.
Retired judge 'Pradhan,' played by Boman Irani, carries guilt from the past. He had sentenced a man for a crime he did not commit, and that man is 'Parshuram,' played by Akshay Kumar. When the judge is murdered, his secret daughter becomes the next target, and the only person who knows about her is 'Shyam,' played by Saif Ali Khan.
Saif plays a man blind from birth who manages a high-rise. He can identify people by perfume, by footsteps, by the paste on a forehead. That sensory detail gives the character an edge beyond sympathy. Akshay as 'Parshuram' is cast against his usual image. He is loud, wounded, and intent on killing those who ruined his family.
The film tries to balance a dark thriller with Priyadarshan's comedy. Sharib Hashmi as 'Inspector Sanjay' is funny, and Asrani as guard 'Hussain' adds warmth in his last screen appearance. Rajpal Yadav as the driver and Suchitra Pillai as the nun add texture but also add clutter.
Mohanlal played the blind protagonist with quiet control in the original. Saif makes 'Shyam' warmer and more heroic, and he is believable as a caretaker, though heavy action is less convincing.
Performances hold a film could have been better
The second half is where Haiwaan finally becomes engaging. After the interval, the story moves to a boarding school and to the little girl the judge had kept hidden. 'Shyam' must protect her while 'Parshuram' hunts for her. Here the thriller elements work better because the film depends on space, sound, and instinct rather than exposition.
Saif Ali Khan is more at ease in quieter passages. He does not imitate Mohanlal, and that is a wise choice. He gives 'Shyam' dignity and everyday grace. The way he moves with a cane, the way he listens, and the way he senses danger feel practiced.
Akshay Kumar brings intensity and physical effort to 'Parshuram'. Unlike the original, where the killer stayed silent and almost invisible for long, this version shows him early and gives him louder moments, including a shriek at the start. The star treatment makes him more visible but also less unsettling. The menace needed to be colder and more controlled, and it often slips into theatricality, especially in the final confrontation.
Boman Irani is dependable as judge 'Pradhan.' Shriya Pilgaonkar as domestic help and Saiyami Kher as the cop 'Ayesha' perform well but get limited material. Sharib Hashmi leaves a mark even though his cop is written as rough and quick to hit.
The surprise cameo by Mohanlal is brief and will please fans. The production looks glossy, and Mumbai is used well. Priyadarshan stages effective sequences when 'Shyam' tracks a scent or hears a step others miss. Yet gaps remain, and songs interrupt momentum.
For viewers who have not seen Oppam, Haiwaan works as a decent one-time watch despite its flaws. For those who have, the Malayalam film remains tighter and more gripping overall.
Have you watched Haiwaan in theatres? Let us know.
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