Akshay Kumar’s Haiwaan Faces Low Buzz Despite Star Power

Akshay Kumar’s latest film Haiwaan, directed by veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan, is drawing attention for its surprisingly subdued pre-release buzz. After a successful run earlier this year with the horror comedy Bhooth Bangla and the hit Welcome To The Jungle, Akshay’s next outing was expected to generate significant excitement. However, current trade analysis points to a different scenario.

Haiwaan, a thriller adapted from Priyadarshan’s Malayalam film Oppam, features Akshay Kumar in a negative role alongside Saif Ali Khan. The pairing of Akshay and Saif marks their reunion after nearly two decades, a fact that had initially sparked curiosity among fans when the project was announced in June. Despite this, the promotional material released so far has not managed to ignite the kind of anticipation usually associated with such big names.

Industry trackers estimate that Haiwaan could open in the range of ₹6–8 crore nett, a figure considered underwhelming for a film led by stars of this calibre. The tepid response to the film’s assets has led to speculation about whether strong word-of-mouth could help it perform better after release. As per trade pundits, "the hype at the moment is definitely not up to the mark."

Earlier coverage in August highlighted Akshay Kumar’s momentum following his recent box-office successes, raising expectations for Haiwaan. Now, with the film’s release imminent, all attention is on whether audience reactions can turn the tide for this high-profile thriller.