Blab Entertainment
Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumars Haiwaan Opens to Mixed Reactions on September 11, 2026
On 11 September 2026, the Hindi crime thriller Haiwaan rolled out to theatres worldwide, marking the first time director Priyadarshan and actor Saif Ali Khan share the screen. The film also brings Akshay Kumar in a chilling villain role and a brief, but memorable, cameo from Malayalam legend Mohanlal.
Haiwaan is a Hindi remake of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam. The story follows Saif’s character, a blind man wrongfully accused, who must rely on heightened senses to survive a dangerous plot. Akshay portrays a calculating antagonist driven by revenge, while supporting roles are filled by Saiyami Kher, Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Sharib Hashmi. According to Wikipedia, the film also marks the final screen appearance of veteran actor Asrani.
The film was produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films. Pritam supplied the songs, and Ronnie Raphael handled the background score. The first single, “Mera Hero Hai Woh,” dropped on 19 August 2026.
Early reactions on social media were largely positive. Viewers praised the film’s dark atmosphere and tight thriller elements. One X user called Akshay a “cold‑blooded villain” who creates danger without over‑the‑top theatrics, while noting Saif’s restrained performance added a layer of vulnerability without excess emotion. Another fan described Haiwaan as a “dark and unpredictable thriller,” crediting Priyadarshan with setting the mood from the opening scenes. The contrast between Saif and Akshay was highlighted as a major strength, with audiences citing their face‑off as a key draw.
Mohanlal’s cameo also attracted attention. A viewer who watched the film at a first‑day‑first‑show screening in Australia gave it five stars and wrote a three‑word review: “Original Revenge Thriller.” The same post praised Akshay’s villainous entry and Mohanlal’s cameo.
Technical aspects received praise as well. Several viewers commended the background score for adding tension and reinforcing the thriller’s atmosphere.
Not all feedback was uniformly positive. Some viewers felt the first half was slow, though they noted that the film became more engaging when Akshay’s character appeared on screen. One user mentioned a twist before the interval that built curiosity for the second half. Another viewer described the first half as “solid” and gave it a five‑star rating, praising Priyadarshan’s direction.
Box‑office figures for the opening day are still being compiled. According to reports, more than 15 000 tickets were sold in advance for Day 1, and the film earned a first‑day gross of 36.10 lakh without block‑seat revenue. The film’s opening is being monitored closely as it competes with other releases such as Mirzapur The Movie.
The release of Haiwaan comes at a time when the Hindi film market is seeing a mix of high‑budget action films and mid‑budget thrillers. The film’s performance will be watched by distributors and exhibitors for indications of audience appetite for remakes of successful regional films.
In summary, Haiwaan opened on 11 September 2026 to a mix of positive social‑media reactions and some criticism of pacing. The film’s cast, direction, and technical work have been highlighted by viewers, while its box‑office performance remains to be fully assessed as more data becomes available.
Haiwaan is a Hindi remake of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam. The story follows Saif’s character, a blind man wrongfully accused, who must rely on heightened senses to survive a dangerous plot. Akshay portrays a calculating antagonist driven by revenge, while supporting roles are filled by Saiyami Kher, Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Sharib Hashmi. According to Wikipedia, the film also marks the final screen appearance of veteran actor Asrani.
The film was produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films. Pritam supplied the songs, and Ronnie Raphael handled the background score. The first single, “Mera Hero Hai Woh,” dropped on 19 August 2026.
Early reactions on social media were largely positive. Viewers praised the film’s dark atmosphere and tight thriller elements. One X user called Akshay a “cold‑blooded villain” who creates danger without over‑the‑top theatrics, while noting Saif’s restrained performance added a layer of vulnerability without excess emotion. Another fan described Haiwaan as a “dark and unpredictable thriller,” crediting Priyadarshan with setting the mood from the opening scenes. The contrast between Saif and Akshay was highlighted as a major strength, with audiences citing their face‑off as a key draw.
Mohanlal’s cameo also attracted attention. A viewer who watched the film at a first‑day‑first‑show screening in Australia gave it five stars and wrote a three‑word review: “Original Revenge Thriller.” The same post praised Akshay’s villainous entry and Mohanlal’s cameo.
Technical aspects received praise as well. Several viewers commended the background score for adding tension and reinforcing the thriller’s atmosphere.
Not all feedback was uniformly positive. Some viewers felt the first half was slow, though they noted that the film became more engaging when Akshay’s character appeared on screen. One user mentioned a twist before the interval that built curiosity for the second half. Another viewer described the first half as “solid” and gave it a five‑star rating, praising Priyadarshan’s direction.
Box‑office figures for the opening day are still being compiled. According to reports, more than 15 000 tickets were sold in advance for Day 1, and the film earned a first‑day gross of 36.10 lakh without block‑seat revenue. The film’s opening is being monitored closely as it competes with other releases such as Mirzapur The Movie.
The release of Haiwaan comes at a time when the Hindi film market is seeing a mix of high‑budget action films and mid‑budget thrillers. The film’s performance will be watched by distributors and exhibitors for indications of audience appetite for remakes of successful regional films.
In summary, Haiwaan opened on 11 September 2026 to a mix of positive social‑media reactions and some criticism of pacing. The film’s cast, direction, and technical work have been highlighted by viewers, while its box‑office performance remains to be fully assessed as more data becomes available.
