Haiwaan Movie Review: Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan’s Reunion Takes Too Long to Thrill

If you’re looking for a sharp, edge-of-your-seat thriller, our Haiwaan movie review comes with a quick reality check. Bringing Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan back together after 18 years was a dream setup for director Priyadarshan. Nostalgia immediately kicks into overdrive for fans of their previous pairings, making this an eagerly tracked Akshay Saif reunion movie.

However, as this detailed Haiwaan review breaks down, even star power cannot entirely paper over narrative cracks. In this definitive Priyadarshan Haiwaan review, the film struggles under bloated pacing, uneven suspense, and tonal detours.

On paper, the premise behind this Akshay Kumar Saif Ali Khan new movie 2026 has an irresistible hook. It’s about a blind man using sound, memory, and instinct to outsmart a ruthless killer and protect an innocent child. But despite a menacing antagonist and a gripping climax, this official Oppam remake stretches a simple cat-and-mouse chase across an agonizing 165 minutes, leaving you wishing for far tighter storytelling.

What’s the Haiwaan Plot Summary?

To understand where the tension builds and falters, here is a concise Haiwaan plot summary.

In this Saif Ali Khan Haiwaan movie, Saif portrays Shyam Rane, a visually impaired maintenance manager working in an upscale Mumbai apartment complex. Despite his lack of sight, Shyam has an incredible spatial memory, razor-sharp hearing, and an intimate knowledge of every corridor, stairwell, and elevator in the building.

Shyam shares a close bond with retired Judge Pradhan (Boman Irani). However, the judge lives in sheer dread. Decades prior, a tragic case destroyed the life and family of a man named Parshuram Gokhale, played by Akshay Kumar. Now out of prison with a snake tattoo, unhinged eyes, and an unquenchable thirst for blood, Parshuram wants total vengeance on Pradhan and his secret young daughter, Nandini.

When tragedy strikes within the high-rise, Shyam finds himself caught in a living nightmare; framed as the prime murder suspect by a clueless police department. He is the only person alive who knows the little girl’s location.

From there begins a tense cat-and-mouse game where a man who cannot see must outmaneuver an unyielding monster who will stop at nothing.

Read More: Haiwaan Trailer Out |  Akshay Kumar Turns Ruthless Villain Against Blind Hero Saif Ali Khan

Haiwaan Movie Highlight 

What Worked for Haiwaan?

• Akshay Kumar’s Menacing Screen Presence: As the primary antagonist in this Akshay Kumar Haiwaan feature, Akshay embraces his dark side as Parshuram. With cold glares and sudden bursts of brutality, he brings genuine danger whenever he’s on screen, adding a bold twist to the catalog of Akshay Kumar thriller films. Even if the role feels closer to an extended special appearance than an equal two-hero narrative, his screen presence keeps the screen alert.
• A High-Tension Climax: The final 20 minutes set in a dark convent school finally deliver the suspense you paid for. Priyadarshan utilizes shadows, claustrophobic camera angles, and sheer sensory panic to stage an effective final standoff.
• Touching Cameos & Nostalgia: The film features a bittersweet, warm performance by the late veteran actor Asrani as security guard Hussain, bringing genuine warmth amidst the tension. Cinephiles will also notice a blink-and-miss special cameo from Mohanlal (who headlined the original 2016 Malayalam blockbuster Oppam), bridging the gap between original and remake.

What Doesn’t Work and Where It Stumbles?

• It Takes Forever to Get Going: At nearly 2 hours and 45 minutes, Haiwaan is at least 30 minutes too long. The first half spends excessive time establishing village backstories, extended family obligations, and minor characters before the actual threat even arrives.
• Saif’s Blind Hero Act Feels Inconsistent: Saif puts sincere effort into Shyam, but his brisk posture and athletic movements often resemble an action hero wearing dark glasses rather than someone navigating the world purely through sound. Instead of letting his heightened senses feel grounded, the screenplay borders on superhero territory.
• Random Songs That Break the Suspense: Pritam’s musical tracks feel completely out of place in a ticking-clock mystery. Tossing in a full-blown wedding celebration dance right when the stakes should be sky-high abruptly punctures the narrative momentum.
• Baffling Police Work: Sharib Hashmi is largely underutilized as a frustratingly incompetent inspector. The police force in the film exists almost exclusively to overlook blatant forensic clues, jump to wild conclusions, and manufacture artificial hurdles for Shyam to overcome.

Box Office Outlook & Haiwaan Ending Explained

In terms of an early Haiwaan box office review, the film faces a challenging theatrical run. With an expansive runtime and mixed word-of-mouth regarding its pacing, its performance relies heavily on weekend family footfalls and walk-in crowds eager to catch this long-awaited star reunion.

For viewers looking for a quick Haiwaan ending explained and review wrap-up: the finale resolves when Shyam relies strictly on his auditory perception and spatial memory to turn the darkness of the school against Parshuram.

By exploiting sensory disorientation, Shyam neutralizes the killer’s visual advantage. He is ensuring young Nandini’s safety while finally clearing his name of all false murder charges before the authorities arrive.

Verdict: Is Haiwaan movie worth watching?

Our Rating: ⭐⭐½ (2.5 / 5 Stars)

In this comprehensive Haiwaan movie review and rating breakdown, the verdict lands right in the middle: Haiwaan isn’t an outright failure, but it is an impatient, often frustrating watch. It has a compelling premise and two proven superstars trying something against type.

Yet, the movie dragged down by long expository scenes, intrusive songs, and sluggish narrative progression. This Priyadarshan new thriller takes far too long to become the nail-biting experience it promises to be.

Have you watched Haiwaan in theatres yet? Did Akshay’s dark turn send chills down your spine, or do you prefer the original Oppam? Share your thoughts and personal ratings in the comments below!A

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FAQs

Q: Is ‘Haiwaan’ a remake of ‘Oppam’?

A: Yes, Haiwaan is the official Hindi remake of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam blockbuster Oppam which originally starred Mohanlal. 

Q: Is Akshay Kumar the hero or villain in ‘Haiwaan’?

A: Akshay Kumar plays the central antagonist, Parshuram Gokhale. He is a vengeful convict bent on destroying those connected to his wrongful imprisonment.

Q: How long after their last film did Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan reunite?

A: Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan reunited on the big screen after 18 years. They last shared space in the 2008 action film Tashan.

Q: Is Haiwaan worth watching in theatres?

A: For casual fans asking is Haiwaan worth watching, it offers mild curiosity value if you want to see Akshay in an unhinged grey role or enjoy the nostalgia of this star pairing. However, viewers seeking tight Bollywood psychological thrillers or those who have already watched Oppam may find the sluggish pace and uneven logic disappointing.

Q: How is Akshay Kumar’s performance in ‘Haiwaan’?

A: Akshay plays an eccentric, grey-shaded character with theatrical menace. This makes it a distinct deviation from his typical patriotic dramas and slapstick comedy roles.