Haiwaan Movie Review: Disjointed screenplay, weak songs and underwhelming climax dilute the impact
Haiwaan, the Hindi remake of Priyadarshan’s own 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, released in theatres on September 11, 2026. The film stars Saif Ali Khan as a visually impaired man and Akshay Kumar as the antagonist, marking their reunion on screen after 18 years.
The premise follows Shyam Rane (Saif Ali Khan), a maintenance worker at a Mumbai high-rise who is close to a retired judge, Pradhan (Boman Irani). After Pradhan is murdered, Shyam becomes the protector of the judge’s young daughter, who is targeted by a released convict named Parshuram (Akshay Kumar).
Critics have pointed to the screenplay as the film’s primary weakness. The Times of India notes that the narrative quickly turns flat and monotonous, writing that scene after scene feels mechanical with neither setting nor characterisation proving convincing. The review states that the film stretches a thin premise far beyond its limits, leaving little impact by the end.
The Hindu describes the writing as gradually abandoning all subtlety, with red herrings devoid of colour and plot devices visible from a distance. The review argues that the narrative mechanisms become fully exposed, removing the mystery that should drive a thriller.
Cinema Express observes that at any given point there is so much happening in the film that it is tough to join the dots. The review notes that plotlines are introduced and then quickly left to dangle, creating an incoherent narrative that keeps getting derailed.
The music of Haiwaan has drawn criticism as well. Koimoi’s music review states that Shaan, who returns to playback singing with this film, receives two songs that fail to utilise his talent. The review describes the soundtrack as a half-cooked, hurried meal, writing that the songs are bland notes and lyrics put together without making much sense.
The review further notes that the title track Main Toh Nahi Haiwaan is the strongest song on the album, while the two tracks built around Shaan’s comeback are the ones that feel like leftovers. It suggests the care and attention in the album went where marketing needed a hook.
The climax has also come under scrutiny. The Times of India writes that a Conjuring-style finale takes the tension out of the climax, veering into unintentional humour. The review notes that the final act fails to deliver the payoff a thriller of this scale demands.
Cinema Express echoes this sentiment, describing a scene where Akshay Kumar appears in a nun dress in a Conjuring style as something that does not help the film. The review states that the film becomes a cheap thrill by its later stages.
Performances have received mixed assessments. Saif Ali Khan’s portrayal of the visually impaired Shyam has drawn praise for sincerity, though The Hindu notes that the actor labours in the role, unable to summon the larger-than-life charisma the story demands. The review points out that Shyam has heightened senses of smell and hearing, which allow him to compensate for his lack of sight, but the character never fully develops into a convincing personality.
Akshay Kumar’s antagonist has drawn criticism for excess. The Hindu writes that the actor overdoes it, swapping genuine psychological menace for relentless hamming. The review states that in trying to contrast Saif, Akshay seems to have forgotten that both characters come from the same socio-cultural space. The Times of India notes that a little restraint could have gone a long way, and that his rage often feels performative rather than genuinely menacing.
The supporting cast, including Saiyami Kher as a police officer and Shriya Pilgaonkar, has been described as underutilised. News18 states that Saiyami Kher’s role looks like a mere extended cameo. The late Asrani brings his classic wit to an interrogation scene, but The Hindu notes that in the absence of fresh jokes, the rest of the supporting cast could not sustain the spirit.
The film has received a CBFC certification with a runtime of 164 minutes, according to Mashable India. The Times of India review states that with a runtime of 2 hours and 44 minutes, the film ultimately stretches a thin premise far beyond its limits.
Audience reactions on social media have been divided. Some viewers on X praised the first half and the background score, with one user writing that the interval point had a solid build-up. Others called the film a disaster on arrival, with one user stating that Haiwaan is a disappointing reunion that never quite finds its footing.
According to box office data from Sacnilk, Haiwaan collected a net of Rs 3 crore in India on its opening day across 7,224 shows. The film’s total worldwide gross at the end of day one stood at Rs 4.60 crore. Trade tracker data indicates the film opened in the shadow of two blockbusters, Mirzapur The Movie and Hanuman Ansh, which continue to dominate multiplex screens.