Haiwaan (translating to “Monster” or “Beast”) is one of the most anticipated Hindi films of 2026. Directed by the veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan, the movie marks a high-profile reunion of two of Bollywood’s biggest stars — Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan — after nearly 18 years. Their last on-screen collaboration was the 2008 action-romance Tashan. This time, the pair steps into a tense psychological crime thriller rather than the light-hearted or action-comedy territory that defined many of their earlier pairings.
The film is the official Hindi remake of Priyadarshan’s own critically acclaimed 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, which starred Mohanlal in the lead. Haiwaan is produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films, with Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn as key producers. It is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 11 September 2026.
Story and Premise
While the makers have kept the full plot under wraps to preserve suspense, the core narrative framework is drawn from Oppam. In the original Malayalam film, Mohanlal played a visually impaired caretaker working in a residential complex who accidentally witnesses a murder. He becomes the only person who can identify the killer and must protect a young girl (the daughter of a judge) while fighting to prove his own innocence in a world that underestimates him because of his disability.
In Haiwaan, Saif Ali Khan takes on this central role. Reports and interviews describe his character as a visually impaired music teacher or caretaker who is specially abled — capable of heightened sensory perception, physical agility, and protective instincts despite his lack of sight. Saif has spoken about the role as an “Indian version of a blind samurai,” emphasising the challenge of portraying the physicality and emotional depth without exaggeration. The character finds himself entangled in a murder mystery and must safeguard a young girl while navigating suspicion and danger.
Akshay Kumar plays the antagonist — a cold-blooded, dangerous figure driven by obsession and relentless pursuit. This marks a notable departure from Akshay’s more conventional heroic or comic roles. Saif Ali Khan has publicly expressed excitement about seeing Akshay in a “dangerous, negative role,” noting that it is something audiences have rarely seen from the actor. The dynamic between the two is framed as a David-versus-Goliath confrontation filled with psychological tension, cat-and-mouse suspense, high-stakes drama, and action sequences.
Supporting characters, including those played by Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar, are expected to occupy pivotal positions in the web of relationships, secrets, and threats that drive the story. Themes of obsession, pursuit, vulnerability versus power, and moral complexity run through the narrative. Priyadarshan has reworked the screenplay and dialogues for the Hindi version to suit a broader audience while retaining the taut, edge-of-the-seat quality of the original.
Mohanlal, who originated the lead role in Oppam, is reported to make a special cameo appearance in Haiwaan, adding a meaningful full-circle moment for the project.
Cast
Lead Roles
- Saif Ali Khan – The visually impaired protagonist (caretaker/music teacher) who becomes the sole protector of a young girl and the key witness in a murder case. This is widely regarded as one of his most challenging and unconventional roles in recent years.
- Akshay Kumar – The primary antagonist, described as a scary, obsessive, and dangerous character. His casting as the villain has generated significant curiosity given his star image.
Key Supporting Cast
- Saiyami Kher – Pivotal role (exact character details not fully disclosed).
- Shriya Pilgaonkar – Important supporting role.
- Boman Irani
- Rajpal Yadav
- Sharib Hashmi
- Rajesh Sharma
- Manoj Joshi
- Asrani
- Jisshu Sengupta
- Pahal Chaudhary (likely the young girl at the centre of the protection narrative)
- Additional performers including Naira Shah and others.
Special Appearance
- Mohanlal – Cameo.
The ensemble mixes established character actors with newer faces, giving Priyadarshan a strong supporting framework around the two leads.
Direction, Writing and Creative Team
Priyadarshan, one of Indian cinema’s most prolific and versatile directors with over 60 films across languages, writes and directs Haiwaan. Known for both blockbuster comedies (Hera Pheri, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, Garam Masala) and serious dramas and thrillers, he returns to the suspense genre with material he originally created. Dialogues are credited to Rohan Shankar in some reports.
Technical Crew Highlights
- Cinematography: Divakar Mani
- Editing: M. S. Aiyyappan Nair
- Songs: Pritam
- Background Score: Ronnie Raphael
- Production Design: Sabu Cyril (reported in some coverage)
The film was shot extensively in Kochi, Vagamon, Ooty, and Mumbai. Principal photography wrapped on 7 December 2025 after multiple schedules.
Budget
As of the latest available information, no official budget figure for Haiwaan has been publicly confirmed by the producers. Industry estimates for mid-to-large scale Hindi thrillers starring two major names typically fall in a significant range, but without an official announcement or widely reported number from reliable trade sources, any specific figure would be speculative. The project benefits from the established production houses KVN Productions and Thespian Films, experienced technical talent, and the star power of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, suggesting a solid commercial scale appropriate for a wide theatrical release.
Post-theatrical digital and satellite rights were reportedly acquired by Sony Pictures Networks in a pre-release deal valued at around ₹80 crore according to some reports, indicating strong confidence in the film’s commercial potential.
Release Date and Box-Office Context
Haiwaan is locked for a theatrical release on 11 September 2026. The date was officially announced by KVN Productions in late June 2026 with a striking poster and the tagline emphasising “One obsession. One relentless pursuit.”
Interestingly, the film is set to clash at the box office with Udta Teer, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sara Ali Khan. This creates an intriguing September face-off between two distinct star combinations and genres.
The September window positions Haiwaan as a major post-monsoon theatrical attraction, capitalising on the reunion narrative, Priyadarshan’s reputation, and the thriller genre’s appeal for audiences seeking suspense-driven entertainment.
Production Journey and Behind-the-Scenes Notes
The project was formally announced in mid-2025. Saif Ali Khan was Priyadarshan’s early choice for the lead. For the antagonist role, names such as Bobby Deol and Akshaye Khanna were reportedly considered before Akshay Kumar came on board. Akshay’s entry elevated the project’s profile considerably.
Saif has spoken warmly about working with Akshay again, calling him an “elder brother” and highlighting their long shared history and natural chemistry. He noted that Haiwaan deliberately moves away from the comedic chemistry of their 1990s and 2000s films, allowing both actors to explore darker, more intense territory. Priyadarshan’s economical directing style — often preferring single takes — was described by Saif as reminiscent of Clint Eastwood’s approach, requiring the actors to be fully prepared from the first take.
Akshay himself posted about the start of shooting, expressing excitement about reuniting with Saif after nearly 18 years and working once more with Priyadarshan (they had recently collaborated on the horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla).
Expectations and Significance
Haiwaan carries multiple layers of audience interest:
- The long-awaited Akshay–Saif reunion after Tashan.
- Akshay Kumar in a full-fledged negative role.
- Saif Ali Khan in a physically and emotionally demanding, differently-abled character.
- Priyadarshan returning to the thriller space with material he knows intimately.
- The Hindi adaptation of a well-regarded Malayalam film, raising questions about how the story will be localised and expanded.
- Strong supporting cast and technical team.
If the film successfully translates the tension, emotional stakes, and clever plotting of Oppam while leveraging the star power and Priyadarshan’s craft, it has the potential to emerge as one of the stronger theatrical thrillers of 2026.
Final Overview
Title: Haiwaan Director: Priyadarshan Starring: Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and an ensemble supporting cast; Mohanlal in a cameo Genre: Action Thriller / Crime Thriller / Psychological Suspense Based on: Oppam (2016, Malayalam) Producers: Venkat K. Narayana, Shailaja Desai Fenn (KVN Productions & Thespian Films) Music: Pritam (songs), Ronnie Raphael (score) Release Date: 11 September 2026 Budget: Official figure not publicly disclosed
Haiwaan represents a rare combination of star reunion, genre shift, and a proven directorial vision. As the release approaches, audiences can expect trailers, music, and further character reveals that will sharpen anticipation for this high-stakes confrontation between two of Hindi cinema’s most enduring leading men. The film stands as a significant entry in the 2026 release calendar and a noteworthy chapter in the careers of Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, and Priyadarshan.