‘Haiwaan is the beginning of new chapter for me’_ Priyadarshan says thriller has scope after comedy. Priyadarshan is returning to the thriller genre with ‘Haiwaan’, a film he considers an important new phase in his career. The filmmaker has spent a significant part of his Hindi career making comedy-driven entertainers. With ‘Haiwaan’, he is now moving back towards a more serious narrative.Priyadarshan began his Hindi filmmaking journey with movies such as ‘Gardish’ and ‘Virasat’. Both films belonged to a more serious style of cinema. However, the success of ‘Hera Pheri’ changed the filmmaker’s trajectory. Comedy subsequently became a major part of his Hindi filmography.In a recent press meet, Priyadarshan discussed his decision to make ‘Haiwaan’. He also explained why he believes a thriller could connect with audiences at this point.As quoted by Bollywood Hungama, Priyadarshan said, “’Haiwaan’ is the beginning of a new chapter for me, I started with serious films like Gardish, Virasat, but after Hera Pheri, I was pulled into this track of comedy films, I need a break so I thought of this film and I was very confident that this kind of a film will be very well accepted today because what I found very interesting is the reason behind of success of Bhoot Bangla, there were so many films which are too serious like Dhurandhar, Border 2, and Bhoot Bangla came as a sudden relief, because people like to watch different kinds of movies at different times, so now I feel that people have been continuously watching a lot of comedy oriented films so I think a thriller has a scope.”
Priyadarshan calls ‘Haiwaan’ a new chapter
For Priyadarshan, ‘Haiwaan’ represents a return to the kind of serious storytelling he explored earlier in his career. The director believes audiences are open to changing genres based on their mood and viewing preferences. ‘Haiwaan’ is scheduled to reach theatres on September 11, 2026.
Akshay Kumar plays a ruthless antagonist
‘Haiwaan’ features Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles. Akshay Kumar takes on a darker character in the movie. He plays a ruthless antagonist and killer.Saif Ali Khan portrays a visually impaired martial artist. His character becomes an unlikely protector of a young girl. The story places him in a dangerous confrontation with a psychopath. The supporting cast includes Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher and Boman Irani. Mohanlal is also expected to appear in a cameo role.
Saif Ali Khan plays a blind martial artist
The central character in ‘Haiwaan’ is a visually impaired martial artist who gets involved in protecting a young girl. His efforts put him directly in the path of a dangerous psychopath. The film combines action with psychological thriller elements.’Haiwaan’ brings Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan together again after an 18-year gap. The actors previously shared the screen in ‘Tashan’, which was released in 2008. ‘Haiwaan’ is an official Hindi remake of ‘Oppam’. Priyadarshan directed the original Malayalam film, which was released in 2016 and starred Mohanlal in the lead role.’Haiwaan’ is scheduled for theatrical release on September 11, 2026.