Akshay Kumar’s Haiwaan has had a weak run at the box office. Directed by Priyadarshan and co-starring Saif Ali Khan, the thriller opened to around ₹2.79 crore. It later struggled to gain momentum, earning only ₹8.68 crore in its first week. On Day 8, its collection reportedly fell to ₹66,838.
For Akshay, this is another film that has struggled to make a sustained impact in theatres. Haiwaan arrives after a series of releases that have faced similar challenges. This has led to questions about his approach to selecting projects.
Even before this film, his recent releases like Bhooth Bangla and Welcome to the Jungle had indicated that star power alone may not be enough to ensure a strong opening. Haiwaan has further highlighted the challenges facing his recent theatrical releases.
This is where Akshay may need to reconsider his choices going forward. He reportedly has another film arriving soon, along with two or three projects reportedly in production. However, there are also questions about whether enough attention is being given to the reasons behind the poor performance of his recent films.
Small films like Mirzapur, Awarapan 2, and Hanuman Ansh have reportedly performed strongly at the box office. These films earned in crores despite not featuring a major superstar. Akshay, meanwhile, continues to be associated with projects involving Priyadarshan or Anees Bazmee franchises.
Haiwaan’s box office performance has added to the discussion around Akshay Kumar’s choice of films. The actor’s upcoming projects will show how he approaches his next phase and whether his film selection changes in response to recent theatrical results.
