Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan reunite after 18 years in Priyadarshan’s crime thriller Haiwaan, now playing in cinemas. Check the cast, story and box-office update.
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan have reunited on the big screen in Haiwaan, a Hindi crime thriller directed by Priyadarshan. The film was released in cinemas on September 11, 2026, marking the actors’ first major collaboration since Tashan in 2008.
The 2-hour-44-minute film has received a U/A 16+ certificate and combines action, suspense and crime-drama elements.
Akshay Kumar Plays a Dark Character
Haiwaan presents Akshay Kumar in an unusually dark role as Parshuram Gokhale, while Saif Ali Khan plays Shyam Rane, a visually impaired man caught in a dangerous criminal conspiracy.
The story reportedly follows Shyam as he attempts to protect a young girl while confronting a violent adversary. Akshay has described the character as different from the roles audiences generally associate with him and said the film explores how appearances can be deceptive.
The thriller is a Hindi adaptation of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam film Oppam, which starred Mohanlal. The new version introduces changes to its characters and screenplay for Hindi-speaking audiences.
Supporting Cast and Production Team
The ensemble cast also includes Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Sharib Hashmi, Rajpal Yadav and Asrani. Mohanlal reportedly makes a special appearance.
Priyadarshan has directed the film and co-written its screenplay with Rohan Shankar and Abilash Nair. Pritam has composed the music, while Divakar Mani handled cinematography.
Produced by Venkat K Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn under KVN Productions and Thespian Films, Haiwaan was filmed at locations including Kochi, Ooty and Mumbai.
The film’s release details and cast are listed by BookMyShow.
Akshay-Saif Return After 18 Years
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan previously appeared together in films including Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Yeh Dillagi, Tu Chor Main Sipahi, Keemat and Tashan.
Their reunion became one of the main promotional highlights of Haiwaan. The project also continues Akshay’s long-running association with Priyadarshan, the filmmaker behind several of his popular comedies and dramas.
‘Haiwaan’ Records Slow Box-Office Start
Despite its prominent cast, the film opened to mixed reviews and a modest theatrical response. Early estimates indicated an India net collection of approximately ₹8.05 crore during its first four days, including less than ₹1 crore on its first Monday.
Box-office figures can change as producers, distributors and tracking platforms update their estimates. The film’s performance during its first full week will determine whether it can recover after its slow opening, particularly while facing competition from other major releases.
About the Author
