The trailer of Haiwaan has unveiled a tense and disturbing world in which a ruthless killer and a visually impaired man become locked in a dangerous battle of survival. Directed by Priyadarshan, the upcoming action thriller brings Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan together in dramatically different roles, with Kumar portraying a menacing antagonist and Khan playing a man who must rely on his heightened senses to confront a deadly threat.

The trailer, which runs for more than two minutes, establishes an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty from the outset. A series of violent incidents appears to be connected to a mysterious criminal, while Saif Ali Khan’s character finds himself at the centre of the unfolding mystery. What begins as an apparently straightforward crime story gradually develops into a psychological cat-and-mouse chase.

The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on September 11.

Akshay Kumar Takes on a Dark and Unforgiving Role

One of the biggest attractions of Haiwaan is Akshay Kumar’s departure from the familiar heroic image associated with many of his mainstream films. In the trailer, the actor appears as a cold and dangerous figure whose actions are driven by violence and menace.

His character is presented as a killer who believes he can remain beyond the reach of justice. The trailer avoids giving away the complete motivation behind his actions but makes it clear that he poses a serious threat to Saif Ali Khan’s character.

The role also marks a significant change in Kumar’s recent screen appearances. Rather than playing an anti-hero or a character with conflicting moral motivations, he appears to be embracing a far more straightforwardly sinister persona. His appearance, expressions and body language contribute to the unsettling tone of the film.

The decision to cast one of Bollywood’s leading stars as an outright villain gives the central conflict an additional layer of intrigue. The trailer suggests that Kumar’s character is not merely physically dangerous but also capable of manipulating situations to his advantage.

Saif Ali Khan Plays a Visually Impaired Man

Saif Ali Khan’s character is at the opposite end of the conflict. He plays a visually impaired man whose inability to see becomes both a vulnerability and an unusual strength.

The trailer suggests that his character possesses highly developed senses of hearing and smell. He can also identify people through their voices and other subtle clues. These abilities become crucial after he finds himself connected to a murder witnessed by his character.

The criminal appears to assume that a blind witness will be incapable of identifying him. However, that assumption becomes one of the central elements of the story. Instead of depending on conventional visual evidence, Saif’s character begins reconstructing events through sound, smell, memory and observation.

This creates an unusual dynamic between the protagonist and antagonist. The killer has the advantage of sight and physical aggression, while Saif’s character must use intelligence, instinct and his other senses to stay alive and uncover the truth.

A Murder Witness Becomes the Killer’s Target

The trailer indicates that Saif’s character becomes an unwilling witness to a brutal crime. The killer appears confident that the witness cannot identify him because of his visual impairment.

However, the situation quickly changes when the protagonist demonstrates that blindness has not prevented him from gathering important information.

As the investigation develops, the protagonist becomes increasingly vulnerable. The danger is not limited to the possibility of another attack; he also appears to become entangled in circumstances that place him under suspicion.

This adds another layer to the narrative. While the killer attempts to eliminate the person who could expose him, the protagonist must simultaneously prove what he knows and protect himself from the growing threat.

The resulting conflict forms the backbone of the trailer, with both men seemingly preparing for an eventual confrontation.

Priyadarshan Returns With a Serious Thriller

Haiwaan marks a different cinematic direction for Priyadarshan, who is widely associated with comedy as well as dramatic and thriller projects. The trailer indicates that the filmmaker is using suspense, atmosphere and psychological tension to build the film’s central conflict.

Rather than depending entirely on action sequences, the story appears to focus on anticipation and uncertainty. The audience knows that a dangerous killer is operating, but the protagonist must use limited information to understand who he is and how he can be stopped.

The filmmaker’s approach also places considerable emphasis on the contrast between the two lead characters. Akshay’s character appears physically dominant and unpredictable, while Saif’s character depends on perception and intelligence.

Strong Supporting Cast Adds to the Mystery

The film features a supporting cast that includes Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Sharib Hashmi in important roles.

Boman Irani is seen in the role of a judge, while Saiyami Kher plays a police officer involved in the investigation. Their characters appear to be important to the larger mystery surrounding the killings and the protagonist’s struggle to establish the truth.

The presence of law enforcement and judicial figures suggests that the film will not be limited to a personal confrontation between the two central characters. The investigation and question of justice are also expected to play a significant role.

Haiwaan Is Based on Priyadarshan’s Malayalam Thriller Oppam

The Hindi film is based on Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, which starred Mohanlal in the lead role.

While the basic premise centres on a visually impaired protagonist caught up in a dangerous criminal situation, Haiwaan presents the story for a Hindi-speaking audience with a new cast and its own presentation.

The original film was known for using the protagonist’s blindness as an important storytelling device rather than simply treating it as a character trait. Haiwaan appears to follow a similar approach, making the protagonist’s ability to perceive sounds and other sensory details central to the suspense.

Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan Reunite After 17 Years

Another major talking point surrounding the film is the reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.

The actors last appeared together in Tashan in 2008, making Haiwaan their first major screen collaboration in 17 years. Their earlier association includes films such as Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Yeh Dillagi, Tu Chor Main Sipahi and Keemat.

Their return together is particularly interesting because Haiwaan places them on opposite sides of the story. Instead of sharing the lighter chemistry seen in some of their earlier collaborations, the two actors are presented as adversaries.

That contrast could become one of the film’s biggest strengths, particularly if the screenplay maintains the tension between their characters throughout the story.

A High-Stakes Battle of Instinct and Intelligence

At its core, Haiwaan appears to revolve around a battle between two very different forms of power. Akshay Kumar’s character relies on fear, violence and deception, while Saif Ali Khan’s character must depend on his heightened senses, memory and ability to interpret information.

The trailer deliberately keeps several details of the story under wraps. Instead of revealing the complete mystery, it focuses on the growing danger surrounding the protagonist and the killer’s determination to eliminate the threat posed by him.

This approach leaves the central question unanswered: can a visually impaired man outsmart a killer who believes he has every advantage?

The answer will only become clear when the film reaches theatres.

Release Date

Directed by Priyadarshan and led by Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, Haiwaan is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 11, 2026.

With its dark storyline, high-stakes suspense, unusual protagonist and the long-awaited reunion of two established Bollywood actors, the film is positioned as a thriller that aims to combine crime, action and psychological tension.