Directed by Priyadarshan, Haiwaan is a tried-and-tested cat-and-mouse crime thriller featuring two powerful characters played by Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, reuniting the two powerhouse stars who previously shared effortless chemistry in hits like Yeh Dillagi, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, and Tashan. So let’s decode whether it is a hit or a skip.
Plotline
Adapted from the Malayalam film Oppam (2016), Haiwaan follows Shyam (Saif Ali Khan), a blind man who works as a maintenance manager in Mumbai’s high society. Shyam is very close to Judge Pradhan (Boman Irani), an ex-chief justice who has struggled with guilt for a long time, tied to a man named Parshuram (Akshay Kumar).
Parshuram was jailed on a false case, and Judge Pradhan was behind it. While Pradhan tries to find Parshuram, he is unaware that Parshuram already has his eye on him. Parshuram kills Pradhan while Shyam decides to protect the judge’s foster daughter (Nandini), setting the stage for the drama and the face-off ahead.
Direction, Craft And More
One can notice Priyadarshan’s iconic elements in Haiwaan’s direction. A couple of scenes deserve praise— the director uses Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan’s acting skills to the fullest, but the weak screenplay and premise fail to make an impact.
The first half is still watchable, but the second half disappoints. The film feels stretched and disjointed. Rohan Shankar’s dialogues are fine, and some trademark one-liners evoke nostalgia but don’t really save the experience. Pritam’s music is forgettable, while the cinematography elevates the visual presentation. The film could have been at least 20 to 25 minutes shorter.
Performances
The film’s biggest strengths were Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.
With the lion’s share of screen time, Saif Ali Khan truly commands attention. The actor proves why he is hailed as one of Bollywood’s finest actors, and we can also call it one of his best performances. He played the blind man with conviction. In every single frame—whether navigating intense hand-to-hand combat or heavy emotional drama—he never slips out of character.
Akshay Kumar is equally impressive. He performed with full energy and did get right to the audience’s heart. At times, he lets his expressions do the talking, which induces goosebumps. He just added another feather to his cap.
Other actors, including Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Sharib Hashmi, the late Asrani, and Rajesh Sharma, did their part well.
Overall, Haiwaan focuses on a tired chase game while exploring a fresh storyline that feels exhausting. If you are a fan of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, you won’t be disappointed by their performance, but the premise may test your patience.
Our Editorial Rating: 2 out of 5 stars.
