The official trailer for the Hindi thriller “Haiwaan” was released Tuesday, featuring Akshay Kumar as a psychopath and Saif Ali Khan as a blind man [1].
The film marks a high-profile reunion for Kumar and Khan, who have not worked together in 17 to 18 years [2, 3]. The project represents a shift in casting dynamics for the duo, placing them in a violent, cat-and-mouse survival thriller rather than the comedies that previously defined their collaborations.
Directed by Priyadarshan, the movie is a Hindi remake of the 2016 Malayalam film “Oppam” [4, 5]. The trailer, uploaded to the Zee Music Company YouTube channel, depicts a dark narrative filled with revenge and mystery [1, 6].
In the film, Akshay Kumar plays an outright evil psychopath hunting Saif Ali Khan's visually impaired character [2]. The plot centers on a survival struggle where the blind protagonist must fight back against a ruthless antagonist [2, 7].
The supporting cast includes Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Rajpal Yadav, Sharib Hashmi, Rajesh Sharma, Pahal Chaudhary, and Manoj Joshi [8].
Industry reports said the film is a dark suspense thriller that emphasizes violence and mystery [6]. The trailer highlights a spine-chilling atmosphere as the two lead actors engage in a psychological and physical battle for survival [7].
This production brings the lead actors together for the first time in nearly two decades [3]. While sources differ on the exact duration of their hiatus, estimates range between 17 and 18 years [2, 3].
“Akshay Kumar plays an outright evil psychopath hunting Saif Ali Khan's visually impaired character.”
The release of Haiwaan signals a strategic pivot toward darker, high-concept thrillers for mainstream Bollywood stars. By remaking a successful regional film like Oppam, the producers are utilizing a proven narrative structure while leveraging the nostalgic draw of the Kumar-Khan pairing. The shift in roles—particularly Kumar moving into a villainous persona—suggests a trend of established leads diversifying their screen images to attract audiences tired of traditional hero archetypes.
