Akshay Kumar Turns Pure Evil in ‘Haiwaan’: ‘Saif Ali Khan Is the Hero, I Create Trouble for Him’

After delivering successive commercial successes with Bhooth Bangla and Welcome to the Jungle, Akshay Kumar is preparing to surprise audiences with one of the darkest characters of his career.

In director Priyadarshan’s Haiwaan, Akshay plays a ruthless villain without a tragic justification, redemptive arc or hidden moral side. Standing opposite him is Saif Ali Khan, who leads the film as a visually impaired protagonist caught in a dangerous cat-and-mouse chase.

For actors widely remembered for their energetic chemistry in films such as Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Tashan, the reversal promises an entirely different experience.

Why Akshay Kumar enjoys playing villains

During an interview with Hindustan Times, Akshay revealed that stepping into the mind of an unapologetically evil character felt strangely liberating.

The actor believes villains are often allowed to be more unpredictable and dramatically interesting than traditional heroes. A conventional hero is generally expected to remain morally correct, protect others and function as a positive role model.

A villain carries no such responsibility.

That freedom allowed Akshay to explore a character who is cruel without qualification. Instead of searching for redeeming qualities, he could focus entirely on the menace, unpredictability and psychological darkness required by the role.

Akshay also admitted that he prefers characters that challenge him. Easy roles may feel comfortable, but they can also become creatively repetitive.

Priyadarshan renewed Akshay’s love for work

Haiwaan continues Akshay’s long creative association with Priyadarshan, though it moves far away from the lighthearted comedies that made their partnership popular.

The duo previously worked together on films including Hera Pheri, Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhag, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and De Dana Dan.

After collaborating with the filmmaker across multiple projects over the past two years, Akshay described Priyadarshan as “medicine for the working side of my soul.” Hindustan Times

While audiences usually associate their partnership with comedy, Haiwaan transforms that familiar creative equation into a grim psychological thriller.

Akshay and Saif reunite after 18 years

Akshay and Saif Ali Khan last appeared together in Tashan, released in 2008. Before that, they shared the screen in popular films such as:

• Yeh Dillagi
• Main Khiladi Tu Anari
• Tu Chor Main Sipahi
• Keemat
• Tashan

Their earlier films generally placed them on the same side, using their contrasting personalities to generate comedy, action and camaraderie.

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Haiwaan completely reverses that dynamic. Saif is the hero, while Akshay’s character creates danger for him. Instead of helping each other escape trouble, the two characters are attempting to outmanoeuvre and destroy one another.

Akshay believes their off-screen familiarity allowed them to push each other during intense scenes. Priyadarshan reportedly used their established chemistry to make the confrontation feel more personal and unpredictable.

What is ‘Haiwaan’ about?

The thriller follows a visually impaired man, played by Saif, who becomes an important witness after encountering a dangerous criminal.

Although he cannot rely on sight, the protagonist uses his sharp hearing, sense of smell and ability to recognise voices to understand what happened. He soon finds himself protecting a young girl while being hunted by Akshay’s psychopathic killer.

The recently released trailer presents the story as an intense battle between the hunter and the hunted, with Saif’s character relying on instinct and intelligence to survive.

Haiwaan is based on Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, which featured Mohanlal in the lead. The Hindi version is reportedly an adaptation rather than an exact scene-by-scene remake. Mohanlal is also expected to make a cameo appearance.

‘Haiwaan’ cast and release date

Alongside Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, the film features Boman Irani as a judge and Saiyami Kher as a police officer. Shriya Pilgaonkar, Sharib Hashmi, Rajpal Yadav, Jisshu Sengupta, Rajesh Sharma and Manoj Joshi also appear in significant roles.

The movie is produced by Venkat K Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn under KVN Productions and Thespian Films.

Akshay reportedly underwent a significant physical transformation for the role, helping create a visual identity distinct from his heroic screen image.

Haiwaan will be released in cinemas worldwide on September 11, 2026. BookMyShow

Following two commercially successful entertainers, the film gives Akshay an opportunity to end his year with a radical change of direction. This time, audiences will not be expected to cheer for him they will be waiting to see just how much trouble his “Haiwaan” can create.