Haiwaan Review: Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar lead a tense thriller filled with revenge, mystery and a gripping cat-and-mouse chase.

Priyadarshan’s ‘Haiwaan’ brings Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar together in a dark thriller built around revenge, deception and a dangerous pursuit. The film, which is a remake of the 2016 Malayalam movie Oppam, creates an intriguing contrast between Saif’s vulnerable yet highly capable protagonist and Akshay’s deeply disturbed antagonist.

The Haiwaan Review finds a film that succeeds in creating tension for most of its runtime, even though its rushed conclusion prevents it from reaching its full potential.

A Slow-Burning Beginning

The film opens on a disturbing note, with Akshay Kumar’s character Parshuram Gokhale disposing of a body. However, the narrative then shifts into a much calmer world, introducing Shyam Rane, played by Saif Ali Khan.

Shyam is blind, but his lack of sight does not prevent him from living an independent life. He teaches wrestling, travels through the city and confidently moves around familiar spaces. His heightened senses allow him to recognize people through their voices, footsteps and even their smell.

The Haiwaan Review highlights these early portions because they establish Shyam’s world effectively before the story gradually transforms into a tense thriller.

Saif Ali Khan’s Shyam Becomes the Heart of the Story

Saif Ali Khan gives Shyam a restrained and convincing performance. Rather than portraying him as helpless because of his blindness, the film presents him as an alert and self-reliant man who has learned to understand his surroundings through sound and other sensory cues.

The screenplay uses this aspect of his character to create several suspenseful moments. Shyam’s ability to interpret sounds and spaces becomes particularly important once he finds himself caught in a dangerous situation.

The film also spends time showing his family life, including an arranged-marriage setup involving his sister. These quieter moments give the character an emotional foundation before the thriller takes over.

Akshay Kumar Brings Menace to the Screen

Akshay Kumar plays Parshuram Gokhale, a man whose life has been destroyed by a traumatic past. After being falsely accused in a rape case and spending years in prison, Parshuram returns carrying deep anger and psychological scars.

His backstory reveals a devastating family tragedy that plays a major role in shaping his character. Once Parshuram begins pursuing his revenge, the film becomes considerably more intense.

In the Haiwaan Review, Akshay’s portrayal stands out as one of the film’s biggest strengths. His controlled but threatening presence makes Parshuram feel unpredictable, and his scenes add a genuine sense of danger to the narrative.

A Murder Turns Shyam’s Life Upside Down

The central conflict begins when Judge Pradhan, portrayed by Boman Irani, becomes part of Parshuram’s revenge plan. Shyam is eventually framed for the judge’s murder and finds himself being pursued by the police.

At the same time, Shyam discovers that he must protect Nandini, the judge’s daughter, who has become Parshuram’s target.

This creates the film’s primary cat-and-mouse game. Shyam has to stay ahead of the authorities while trying to keep Nandini safe, whereas Parshuram remains determined to eliminate anyone standing between him and revenge.

The Haiwaan Review finds this central mystery effective because the audience is encouraged to keep questioning Nandini’s connection to the case and the reason she has become so important to both sides.

Asrani and Rajpal Yadav Add Lighter Moments

The film also benefits from performances that provide relief from its darker storyline. Asrani, in one of his final screen appearances, plays Hussein, a security guard whose warmth and comic timing offer a welcome change of pace.

Rajpal Yadav also makes an impression as Chandu, an auto-rickshaw driver who becomes connected to both Shyam and Parshuram.

Their presence prevents the movie from becoming relentlessly heavy and gives the narrative occasional moments of humour and warmth.

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Music Adds to the Atmosphere

Music is another strong element of the film. Pritam has composed the songs, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar, while Ronnie Raphael has worked on the background score.

Tracks such as ‘Mera Hero Hai Woh’, ‘Rangiyara’ and ‘Main Toh Nahi Haiwaan’ are integrated into the narrative instead of feeling disconnected from the story.

The background score also contributes to the suspense, particularly during the film’s chase and investigation sequences.

Priyadarshan Keeps the Story Moving

The screenplay has been written by Rohan Shankar, Abilash Nair and Priyadarshan. The director manages to shift between family drama and thriller elements without making the tonal changes feel forced.

One of the film’s most effective directorial choices is the way Shyam’s experience of the world is presented. Sounds, footsteps, spaces and small sensory details become important storytelling tools, allowing viewers to understand how he navigates situations without relying on sight.

However, the film loses some of its momentum towards the conclusion.

Where Haiwaan Falls Short

The biggest weakness is the ending. After carefully developing Parshuram’s history and the moral complications surrounding Judge Pradhan, the climax feels considerably more hurried than the rest of the film.

Several important emotional and narrative developments happen in quick succession, leaving little time for their impact to fully register. The story could have benefited from an additional 10 to 15 minutes to give its final act more room.

The Haiwaan Review therefore finds a thriller that builds considerable tension but does not deliver a climax as satisfying as the setup promises.

Haiwaan Review: Final Verdict

‘Haiwaan’ succeeds because of its central premise, strong performances and sustained suspense. Saif Ali Khan gives the protagonist emotional depth, while Akshay Kumar makes the antagonist genuinely unsettling.

Priyadarshan’s direction and the film’s use of sound to represent Shyam’s world are also notable strengths. The supporting cast adds warmth and humour, while the music complements the story.

Ultimately, the Haiwaan Review verdict is that the film remains an engaging cat-and-mouse thriller for most of its runtime, but its rushed ending stops it from becoming the powerful knockout it could have been.

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