Haiwaan: Priyadarshan Delivers a Dark Cat-and-Mouse Thriller with Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan
Haiwaan is a Hindi adaptation of the 2016 Malayalam crime drama Oppam, directed once again by Priyadarshan and relocated from Kochi to Mumbai. The film features Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles, with Mohanlal appearing in a cameo. It marks a shift into darker territory for both the director and Akshay Kumar, who are collaborating for the eighth time.
Akshay Kumar plays Parashuram Gokhale, a man released from prison after serving a seven-year sentence for a crime he did not commit. He embarks on a killing spree across Mumbai, driven by a desire to settle scores with the justice system. Saif Ali Khan portrays Shyam Rane, a congenitally blind facilities manager at a high-rise building who becomes a determined protector when a schoolgirl’s life is threatened. Boman Irani plays the judge whose past decision sets the events in motion and who has kept his daughter hidden from the world.
The narrative centres on the tense pursuit between the serial killer and the blind man. While the core storyline remains close to the original, the Hindi version adopts a more heightened and glossy style, incorporating elements of suspense, limited humour and occasional song sequences. Saif Ali Khan’s character is more demonstrative and heroic than his Malayalam counterpart, while Akshay Kumar’s antagonist is drawn with broader strokes suited to a mainstream audience. Supporting roles include Saiyami Kher as a police officer who aligns with Shyam and Shriya Pilgaonkar as a woman connected to the judge’s household. Asrani appears in his final screen role as an ageing security guard whose memory lapses provide moments of light relief.
The film maintains the essential cat-and-mouse dynamic in which the hunter and hunted frequently switch positions of advantage. It stays true to the central conflict while adjusting the surface details location, character presentation and tone to suit a wider Bollywood viewership. The plot offers limited surprises for those familiar with the source material, yet it sustains intrigue and tension through the performances and the escalating confrontation once the killer learns of the schoolgirl’s existence.
Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn, and written by Rohan Shankar, Abilash Nair and Priyadarshan, Haiwaan presents a dark thriller that balances emotional undercurrents with the demands of a commercial format.