Haiwaan Review: Saif and Akshay Shine in This Faithful Oppam Remake

Haiwaan brings together Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar in a story filled with crime, suspense and emotional moments. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film is the official Hindi adaptation of the Malayalam film Oppam, which starred Mohanlal. The film was released in theatres on September 11, 2026. With a runtime of around two hours and forty-four minutes, Haiwaan takes its time to build its story. The movie has received mixed reactions. Some viewers have liked the performances and suspense, while others feel that the writing and length could have been tighter.




The Haiwaan story revolves around Shyam Rane, played by Saif Ali Khan. He works as a society caretaker and is visually impaired. His life changes when he becomes connected to Judge Pradhan, played by Boman Irani. After the judge is killed, Shyam finds himself caught in a situation that is much bigger than he expected. He also learns that the judge has a young daughter, Nandini, who is in danger. This brings him face to face with Parshuram Gokhale, played by Akshay Kumar. Parshuram is not a typical villain. He is driven by revenge and becomes a serious threat to Shyam and Nandini. The film slowly turns into a fight between a man trying to protect someone and another man who will do almost anything to complete his plan. This gives the crime thriller its main tension.


Saif Ali Khan is one of the strongest parts of the film. His character depends heavily on body language, hearing and movement, and Saif tries to bring these details into his performance. His quieter moments work especially well. Akshay Kumar gets a very different role. Instead of playing the usual hero, he appears as the main threat in the story. His presence gives the film a darker feeling, and his scenes with Saif are among the more interesting parts of the movie. Boman Irani also fits well into the story as Judge Pradhan. The supporting cast, including Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Rajpal Yadav, adds to the film without taking away from the main conflict.




The biggest strength of Haiwaan is its central cast. Saif and Akshay bring different energies to the same story, which keeps the film watchable. Priyadarshan also uses suspense, action and some lighter moments to keep the story moving. However, the film is not perfect. Some parts feel stretched, and the writing does not always maintain the same level of tension. Some reviews have also pointed out plot holes and problems with the way certain scenes are handled. For people who have watched Mohanlal’s Oppam, the story may feel familiar because Haiwaan follows the basic structure of the original film. At the same time, Priyadarshan and the cast bring their own Hindi film style to the material. Overall, Haiwaan is a decent thriller with strong performances from Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar. It may not be a completely fresh story, but the two leads and the suspense elements give it enough to hold the audience’s attention.



Haiwaan is not a completely new story, especially for viewers who have already watched Oppam. Still, the film has enough suspense to keep the story moving. Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar are the main reason to watch it, as both bring something different to their roles. The film has some weak points, mainly its long runtime and uneven writing. However, the performances, action and suspense make it an interesting watch for people who enjoy crime thrillers. If you have not seen Oppam, the story may feel more fresh. For fans of Saif, Akshay or Priyadarshan, Haiwaan can be given a try, but it is better to keep expectations realistic.


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