Haiwaan is a film that boldly steps away from the familiar comforts of mainstream Bollywood. Priyadarshan’s latest offering dives into dark, violent territory, centering on a revenge tale where the seeker of justice gradually morphs into someone just as terrifying as those he holds responsible. It’s a compelling premise, and for much of its 164-minute runtime, the film expertly keeps you engaged.
Akshay Kumar takes on the role of Parshuram Gokhale, a man whose life is shattered after being wrongfully convicted of murder. Years later, he returns, fueled by a thirst for vengeance rather than forgiveness. His rage consumes him, leading to a relentless and increasingly brutal quest for revenge. Akshay seems to relish this character, steering clear of making Parshuram likable or heroic, which adds an unsettling edge to his performance. He truly commands the screen.
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On the flip side, we have Saif Ali Khan as Shyam Rane, a visually impaired man who gets caught up in this perilous situation. Saif brings a quiet intensity to the role that often resonates more than the film’s more bombastic moments. His character provides some emotional depth to the narrative, although the depiction of a visually impaired individual occasionally feels a bit off.
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Aug 16, 2026Shriya Pilgaonkar as Naina and Saiyami Kher as Inspector Varsha Joshi fit seamlessly into the main storyline, while Boman Irani as Judge Pradhan and Sharib Hashmi as Senior Inspector Ashok Shinde bolster the supporting cast with their performances. Rajpal Yadav, portraying auto-rickshaw driver Chandu, injects some lighter moments into the film without straying too far from the central plot.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is its refusal to pause for the sake of becoming a typical Bollywood entertainer. There’s no unnecessary romantic subplot to derail the narrative, nor is there an overabundance of comedic relief to dilute the material. Priyadarshan consistently brings the focus back to the central chase, giving Haiwaan a solid sense of direction.
The film stumbles a bit when it comes to the writing. Some twists in the investigation feel a bit too neat, and the police subplot doesn’t always carry the weight you'd expect from a crime thriller. Additionally, a few performances tend to be a bit over the top, which can detract from the tension rather than enhance it.
Then there's the 164-minute runtime. While Haiwaan has enough material to keep a thriller going, not every moment warrants that much screen time. A tighter edit could have made the pacing more exhilarating and boosted the overall impact.
Another point to consider is the reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. Their previous collaborations had a unique spark, and Haiwaan smartly avoids trying to recapture that magic. However, fans hoping for the easygoing charm of their past pairings might find this reunion a bit lacking in warmth.
On the plus side, the atmosphere really shines. Even more impressive is Akshay taking on a role that challenges the typical image we have of him. While Haiwaan doesn’t fully achieve the intelligent, tightly woven thriller it aspires to be, it still manages to keep things intriguing with its dark themes, tension, and solid performances.
