After nearly a decade in the making, Priyadarshan’s Hindi adaptation of his 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam is finally rolling cameras. Titled Haiwaan, the film features Saif Ali Khan as a visually impaired caretaker and martial arts expert, while Akshay Kumar plays the cold-blooded villain seeking revenge.
For the unversed, Akshay and Saif are reuniting after 17 years since Tashan (2008), making this cat-and-mouse thriller highly anticipated. Packed with raw action and emotional depth, Haiwaan promises to be an intense cinematic experience for fans across India.
The story follows Saif’s character, who is assigned to protect the daughter of a retired Supreme Court judge from Akshay Kumar’s vengeful killer. While Priyadarshan retains the emotional heart of Oppam, the screenplay has been reworked to appeal to a pan-India audience.
To add edge and realism, high-octane martial arts sequences and rugged character styling have been introduced. Akshay, with a black belt background, and Saif, currently training in Kalaripayattu, are gearing up for intense hand-to-hand combat scenes.
The film begins shooting on August 23 in Cochin, followed by schedules in Mount Abu, Vagamon, and Mumbai. With Haiwaan, Priyadarshan marks his return to the action-thriller genre, making it one of the most awaited thrillers of 2025.
