The official trailer for Haiwaan has dropped, and it delivers pure, unsettling tension. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film reunites Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan on screen after 18 years and marks a stark departure from their usual commercial fare. Set for theatrical release on 11 September 2026, Haiwaan is the Hindi remake of Priyadarshan’s own 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam. The trailer promises a gripping cat-and-mouse thriller built on vengeance, mind games, and psychological dread.
Haiwaan – Movie | Akshay Kumar | Saif Ali Khan | Boman | Shriya | Saiyami
A Killer on the Loose and a Blind Man in the Crosshairs
The trailer opens with a panicked voice pleading for help: someone has seen him, someone with a knife is coming to kill him. What follows is a chilling portrait of a man on a deadly spree. Multiple accidents and murders have claimed entire families. The atmosphere is thick with fear. Whispers of someone following, the repeated sound of a tongue, and the growing sense that a calculated predator is at work.
Akshay Kumar appears as the “Haiwaan” — a cold, almost playful psychopath who seems to revel in the chaos he creates. His evil laugh and calculated movements dominate several frames. In one striking moment he even mimics blindness with a beanie, mocking his opponent. Opposite him, Saif Ali Khan plays a visually impaired man whose heightened senses and quiet intensity make him a formidable presence. Their paths collide in a high-stakes game of pursuit and deception.
Saiyami Kher appears as an investigating officer trying to piece together the pattern of deaths, while Boman Irani features in a key supporting role. The trailer carefully avoids revealing too much of the plot, focusing instead on mood, threat, and the unsettling chemistry between the two leads. Questions hang in the air: How many more innocent lives will be taken in the name of vengeance? And what happens when the hunter and the hunted finally come face to face?
A Cast Built for Tension
The ensemble brings together experienced performers capable of carrying both the thriller elements and the emotional undercurrents:
| Actor | Role / Contribution |
|---|---|
| Akshay Kumar | The Haiwaan – vengeful, calculating killer |
| Saif Ali Khan | Visually impaired protagonist |
| Saiyami Kher | Investigating police officer |
| Boman Irani | Key supporting role (judge figure) |
| Shriya Pilgaonkar | Supporting role |
| Rajpal Yadav, Sharib Hashmi, Rajesh Sharma, Manoj Joshi and others | Ensemble adding layers to the world |
Priyadarshan has crafted the screenplay along with Abilash Nair and Rohan Shankar. Music is by Pritam, with background score by Ronnie Raphael. Fans of the original Oppam will immediately recognise the powerful background track used in the trailer — a deliberate nod that has already generated strong reactions online.
Why This Reunion Matters
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan last shared the screen in Tashan (2008). Their reunion in a dark thriller rather than a light-hearted entertainer has generated significant interest. Akshay has played antagonistic roles before, but the trailer suggests a more unhinged, psychological register. Saif, meanwhile, continues to choose challenging parts that allow him to explore vulnerability and strength simultaneously. The pairing of a blind protagonist against a relentless predator creates natural dramatic tension and raises the stakes beyond a conventional chase.
As a remake of Oppam, the film carries the DNA of a tightly constructed suspense story that relied on atmosphere, clever plotting, and strong central performances. Priyadarshan’s decision to revisit his own material with two major Hindi stars signals confidence in the core idea while adapting it for a wider audience.
Production Scale and Theatrical Ambition
Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn under KVN Productions and Thespian Films, Haiwaan features production design by Sabu Cyril and cinematography by Divakar Mani. Action is handled by Stunt Silva and Ravi Thyagarajan. The technical team appears focused on creating a grounded yet intense visual language that supports the psychological thriller tone rather than relying solely on spectacle.
The film is scheduled for a wide theatrical release on 11 September 2026. Early reactions to the trailer have been enthusiastic, particularly regarding Akshay’s menacing presence, Saif’s controlled intensity, and the effective use of the original Oppam score. Many viewers have noted that the trailer itself maintains a high level of suspense without giving away major twists.
September 11 Approaches
Haiwaan arrives at a moment when audiences have shown renewed appetite for well-crafted thrillers that prioritise tension and character over pure action. The combination of Priyadarshan’s storytelling experience, the star power of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, and the proven foundation of Oppam creates strong expectations.
The trailer leaves viewers with a clear sense of the film’s dark world and the dangerous game being played. One man is hunting. Another is trying to survive and expose the truth. Between them lies a trail of bodies and a question of how far vengeance will go. On 11 September 2026, the full answer will unfold in theatres.
