And yes, the "Haiwaan" Akshay is asking audiences to meet looks anything but friendly. The trailer dives straight into a world of shadows, fear, pursuit and violence, giving viewers a glimpse of the actor in a chilling antagonist role. Gone is the familiar charm and comic timing; here, Akshay appears to be embracing a much more menacing side.
Directed by Priyadarshan, Haiwaan is the Hindi remake of his own acclaimed 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam. The original starred Mohanlal and was built around an unusual premise involving a visually impaired man who becomes the unlikely protector of a young girl. The Hindi adaptation retains the core thriller setup while bringing together two of Bollywood's biggest stars.
Saif Ali Khan plays a visually impaired caretaker who finds himself caught in a dangerous situation. His character must use his heightened senses, intelligence and martial arts abilities to protect a young girl from a ruthless criminal. The trailer keeps much of the mystery alive while showing just how dangerous the situation becomes.
Akshay Kumar, meanwhile, plays the film's antagonist, and the trailer appears to be deliberately holding back just enough to make his character even more intriguing. His shadowy presence, intense expressions and violent streak suggest that audiences are going to see a very different side of the superstar when Haiwaan arrives in theatres.
The film is particularly exciting because it marks the reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after 18 years. The two actors were last seen together in Tashan in 2008, and their return to the screen together in a serious crime thriller has naturally generated plenty of curiosity. This time, however, the dynamic is far removed from the action-comedy flavour of their earlier collaboration.
The supporting cast adds further weight to the project. Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami Kher are part of the ensemble, while Malayalam superstar Mohanlal is also expected to make a cameo appearance. Given the connection to Oppam, Mohanlal's presence makes the project even more interesting for fans of the original.
Priyadarshan appears to be going for a tense and atmospheric experience with Haiwaan. The trailer is packed with shadowy figures, frantic chases, confrontations and moments of violence, suggesting that the film will rely heavily on suspense rather than simply throwing action at the audience.
Produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films, Haiwaan is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on September 11, 2026. With the trailer now out, the countdown has officially begun for what could be one of the year's most intriguing Hindi crime thrillers.
The biggest question now is how Akshay Kumar's Haiwaan will match up against Saif Ali Khan's determined protector. One thing is already clear from the trailer: this isn't a battle where anyone is playing nice. With Priyadarshan returning to his own thriller universe and Akshay and Saif sharing the screen after nearly two decades, Haiwaan has certainly arrived with enough darkness, mystery and star power to get audiences talking.
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