Haiwaan
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| |
| Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Priyadarshan |
|---|---|
| Produced by | KVN Productions Thespian Films |
| Story by | Priyadarshan |
| Starring | Akshay Kumar Saif Ali Khan Boman Irani Shriya Pilgaonkar Saiyami Kher |
| Music by | Pritam |
| Cinematography | Rajeev Ravi |
| Edited by | Ujwal Kulkarni |
| Production company | KVN Productions Thespian Films |
| Distributed by | |
| Release date | September 11, 2026 |
| Running time | 164 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | |
| Box office | |
Haiwaan is an 2026 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller film written and directed by Priyadarshan. The film is produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films. It is a Hindi remake of the 2016 Malayalam film Oppam. The film features Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar, Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami Kher in lead roles along with Mohanlal in a cameo role. The film had its theatrical release on 11 September 2026.
Plot
Cast
- Akshay Kumar as Parshuram Gokhale, the main antagonist
- Saif Ali Khan as Shyam Rane, the main protagonist
- Shriya Pilgaonkar as Naina
- Saiyami Kher as Inspector Varsha Joshi
- Boman Irani as Judge Pradhan
- Asrani as Hussein, a security guard
- Sharib Hashmi as Senior Inspector Ashok Shinde
- Rajpal Yadav as Chandu, an auto driver
- Rajesh Sharma as SP Rohit Vardhan
- Manoj Joshi as Pandurang
- Pahal Chaudhary as Nandini
- Naira Shah as Simran
- Kiran Dange as Manya
- Abeer Meherish as Nagesh
- Kalpana Rao as Saithabma
- Kanchan Pagare as Sudhir, a security guard
- Ashish Gokhale as SI Pandey
- Suchitra Pillai as Principal
- Ashok Kelkar as Pillai
- Yamini Joshi as Shraddha
- Zeeshan Ali as Joy
- Krishna Kotian as Mr. Bareeto
- Naresh Asija as Mr. Gulati
- Donny Kapoor as Mrs. Gulati
- Bhavna Pani as Zeba Ahmed
- Radhika Chavan as Mary
- Mohit Raj as Albert
- Mohanlal as Jayaraman (cameo appearance)
Production
Development
Pre-production started in May 2025.[1] In July 2025, the film was announced to be a Hindi remake of the 2016 Malayalam film Oppam. Priyadarshan is returning to direct the remake with Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan as the leads.[2]
Casting
In April 2025, it was confirmed that Saif Ali Khan would appear in the film.[3] Initially, Bobby Deol was considered to play the antagonist but he turned down the offer. Akshaye Khanna was considered for the role later before being cast with Akshay Kumar. Asrani, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami Kher came onboard in August 2025. In December 2025, it was confirmed that Mohanlal would have a cameo role.[4]
Filming
Film shooting started in August 2025[5] in Kochi, Kerala. Film shoot continued later in Vagamon and Ooty before proceeding to Mumbai for the last schedule. Various film shoot locations in Mumbai included Churchgate railway station, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Bandra Kurla Complex and Alibaug.
Asrani finished his part before his demise whereas Mohanlal finished his cameo appearance in the film. Film shooting was wrapped up in December 2025 at St. Xavier's College, Mumbai. Post-production was completed in July 2026.[6]
Soundtrack
The soundtrack of 'Haiwaan' was composed by Pritam, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar. Background music of the film was scored by Ronnie Raphael.
First song "Mera Hero Hai Woh" was released on 19 August 2026.[7][8] Second song "Rangiyara" was released on 31 August 2026, followed by third song "Main Toh Nahi Haiwaan" on 7 September 2026.[9]
| No. | Title | Lyrics | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Mera Hero Hai Woh" | Javed Akhtar | Shaan, Vanika Nayak | 3:34 |
| 2 | "Rangiyara" | Yatindra Mishra, Thomson Andrews | Shaan, Sukhwinder Singh, Romy | 3:26 |
| 3 | "Main Toh Nahi Haiwaan" | Kumaar | Raghav Chaitanya | 2:56 |
Release
Theatrical
The movie had its theatrical release in India on 11 September 2026.[10]
Home media
Sony Pictures Networks bought the post-theatrical digital and satellite rights of the movie for ₹80 crore.[11][12]
Certification
The movie got the U/A 16+ certification from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) on 8 September 2026 after making some changes. The final length of the movie is 164.07 minutes.
Marketing
First look posters of Haiwaan were launched on 15 July 2026.[13] The movie got its teaser on 12 August 2026 and its official trailer on 25 August 2026.[14]
Critical response
Haiwaan got mixed to negative responses from the critics. According to Rotten Tomatoes, the movie scored 30% approval from 10 reviews with an average rating of 5/10. Praise has been received for performances and Priyadarshan's directorial style, whereas the screenplay, editing, songs, and ending have been highly criticized.
Saibal Chatterjee and Rishabh Suri rated the movie 3/5, whereas other critics have given ratings between 1/5 and 2.5/5. Saif Ali Khan's acting skills have got some praise, but the screenplay and execution have been heavily criticized.
External links
References
- ↑ Oppam: Saif Ali Khan & Priyadarshan to start filming for Hindi remake by year-end . In Mid-Day (3 May 2025)
- ↑ ‘Haiwaan’: Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan reunite after 17 years for a Priyadarshan film . In The Hindu (16 July 2025)
- ↑ Saif Ali Khan and Priyadarshan Join Forces for a Hindi Remake of 'Oppam', Actor Gives a Peek into His Role . In Deccan Chronicle (22 April 2025)
- ↑ যিশু প্রিয়দর্শনের ছবিতে! সঙ্গী অক্ষয়কুমার, সইফ আলি খান! কোন চরিত্রে দেখা দেবেন অভিনেতা? . In Anandabazar Patrika (6 December 2025)
- ↑ Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar starrer Haiwaan to begin shoot in August . In Mid-day (27 July 2025)
- ↑ Haiwaan: Saiyami Kher calls working with Priyadarshan a privilege . In Mid-Day (15 July 2026)
- ↑ Haiwaan: First Song titled ‘Mere Hero Hai Woh’ featuring Saif Ali Khan reveal his emotional bond with Pahal Chaudhary . In Bollywood Hungama (2026-08-19) . Retrieved 2026-08-25
- ↑ Haiwaan song Mere Hero Hai Woh brings out Saif Ali Khan's softer side . In India Today (2026-08-20) . Retrieved 2026-08-25
- ↑ Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan turn up the heat in Haiwaan title track ‘Main Toh Nahi Haiwaan’ . In Mirchi.in . Retrieved 8 September 2026
- ↑ 'Haiwaan': Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan's thriller gets release date . In The Hindu (27 June 2026)
- ↑ EXCLUSIVE: Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan starrer Haiwaan locks digital and satellite deal with Sony Pictures Networks India . In Bollywood Hungama (10 January 2026) . Retrieved 11 February 2026
- ↑ {{cite web |title=Akshay Kumar's Haiwaan recovers 70% of its budget before release, eyes August 2026 theatrical launch |url=https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/bollywood/akshay-kumar-s-haiwaan-recovers-70-of-its-budget-before-release-eyes-august-2026-theatrical-launch-article-13847009.html |website=[[Network18 Group|Moneycontrol |date=1 March 2026}}
- ↑ Haiwaan first look: Akshay Kumar smiles with menace, Saif Ali Khan's eyes do the talking . In The Indian Express (15 July 2026)
- ↑ ‘Haiwaan’ trailer: Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan tackle each other in Priyadarshan’s twisted thriller . In The Hindu . Retrieved 26 August 2026