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Haiwaan: Priyadarshans 2026 Hindi Remake of Oppam Stars Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar
Haiwaan, a Hindi crime thriller released on 11 September 2026, marks the first collaboration between director Priyadarshan and actor Saif Ali Khan. The film is a remake of Priyadarshan’s own 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam, and it brings together a star‑packed cast that includes Akshay Kumar, Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar and a cameo by Mohanlal.
Oppam, which premiered in India on 8 September 2016, was a commercial success, earning more than ₹52 crore worldwide and becoming the third‑highest‑grossing Malayalam film of all time. The story, written by Govind Vijayan, follows a blind man who becomes embroiled in a murder investigation. Priyadarshan’s decision to remake the film in Hindi was announced in 2024, with the aim of bringing the original’s tense narrative to a wider audience.
Haiwaan was produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films. The screenplay was co‑written by Priyadarshan and the film’s runtime is 164 minutes. Ronnie Raphael composed the score, and the first single, “Mera Hero Hai Woh,” was released on 19 August 2026. Saif Ali Khan plays Shyam Rane, a visually impaired caretaker who is drawn into a dangerous murder case, while Akshay Kumar portrays Parshuram, the film’s antagonist. Mohanlal appears in a brief cameo, echoing his role in the original Malayalam version.
The film opened in theatres across India on 11 September 2026. Marketing for Haiwaan included a digital campaign that highlighted the film’s action sequences and the chemistry between the two leading actors. The release strategy focused on a wide theatrical rollout, with the film also made available on a major streaming platform within a month of its theatrical run.
Critical reception has been largely negative. The Indian Express review described the film as lacking coherence and noted that the narrative felt stretched over its 164‑minute runtime. A review in Rediff echoed these sentiments, calling the plot illogical and the performances over‑the‑top. While the film’s action choreography and production design received some praise, critics agreed that the adaptation did not capture the subtlety of the original.
From an industry perspective, Haiwaan represents a continuing trend of Hindi remakes of successful Malayalam films. Priyadarshan has a long history of adapting his Malayalam work for Bollywood, and the collaboration with Saif Ali Khan is the first time the actor has worked with the director. Akshay Kumar’s role as the villain is a departure from his usual action‑hero persona, and the film’s marketing positioned him as a “psychopathic killer,” a character type that has not been seen in his recent projects.
As of now, Haiwaan has completed its theatrical run and is available for streaming. The film’s performance at the box office has not yet been reported in detail, but early reviews suggest that it may not meet the commercial expectations set by the original Oppam. The film’s release coincided with several other high‑profile Bollywood releases in September 2026, which could have impacted its audience reach.
Looking ahead, the film’s cast members are slated to appear in other projects in 2027. Saif Ali Khan is attached to a new action‑drama, while Akshay Kumar is set to star in a biographical sports film. Priyadarshan has announced a new Malayalam project that will be his next directorial venture after Haiwaan.
In summary, Haiwaan is a 2026 Hindi remake of the 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, featuring Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar. The film’s release on 11 September 2026 was met with negative critical reception, and its commercial performance remains uncertain. The project highlights the ongoing trend of cross‑lingual remakes in Indian cinema and marks a notable collaboration between two veteran filmmakers.
Oppam, which premiered in India on 8 September 2016, was a commercial success, earning more than ₹52 crore worldwide and becoming the third‑highest‑grossing Malayalam film of all time. The story, written by Govind Vijayan, follows a blind man who becomes embroiled in a murder investigation. Priyadarshan’s decision to remake the film in Hindi was announced in 2024, with the aim of bringing the original’s tense narrative to a wider audience.
Haiwaan was produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films. The screenplay was co‑written by Priyadarshan and the film’s runtime is 164 minutes. Ronnie Raphael composed the score, and the first single, “Mera Hero Hai Woh,” was released on 19 August 2026. Saif Ali Khan plays Shyam Rane, a visually impaired caretaker who is drawn into a dangerous murder case, while Akshay Kumar portrays Parshuram, the film’s antagonist. Mohanlal appears in a brief cameo, echoing his role in the original Malayalam version.
The film opened in theatres across India on 11 September 2026. Marketing for Haiwaan included a digital campaign that highlighted the film’s action sequences and the chemistry between the two leading actors. The release strategy focused on a wide theatrical rollout, with the film also made available on a major streaming platform within a month of its theatrical run.
Critical reception has been largely negative. The Indian Express review described the film as lacking coherence and noted that the narrative felt stretched over its 164‑minute runtime. A review in Rediff echoed these sentiments, calling the plot illogical and the performances over‑the‑top. While the film’s action choreography and production design received some praise, critics agreed that the adaptation did not capture the subtlety of the original.
From an industry perspective, Haiwaan represents a continuing trend of Hindi remakes of successful Malayalam films. Priyadarshan has a long history of adapting his Malayalam work for Bollywood, and the collaboration with Saif Ali Khan is the first time the actor has worked with the director. Akshay Kumar’s role as the villain is a departure from his usual action‑hero persona, and the film’s marketing positioned him as a “psychopathic killer,” a character type that has not been seen in his recent projects.
As of now, Haiwaan has completed its theatrical run and is available for streaming. The film’s performance at the box office has not yet been reported in detail, but early reviews suggest that it may not meet the commercial expectations set by the original Oppam. The film’s release coincided with several other high‑profile Bollywood releases in September 2026, which could have impacted its audience reach.
Looking ahead, the film’s cast members are slated to appear in other projects in 2027. Saif Ali Khan is attached to a new action‑drama, while Akshay Kumar is set to star in a biographical sports film. Priyadarshan has announced a new Malayalam project that will be his next directorial venture after Haiwaan.
In summary, Haiwaan is a 2026 Hindi remake of the 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, featuring Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar. The film’s release on 11 September 2026 was met with negative critical reception, and its commercial performance remains uncertain. The project highlights the ongoing trend of cross‑lingual remakes in Indian cinema and marks a notable collaboration between two veteran filmmakers.
