Akshay Kumar & Saif Ali Khan Reunite in Haiwaan: Movie Review & Rating

Director Priyadarshan, known for his mastery in both comedy and thrillers, last helmed the Hindi film 'Hungama 2', which failed to impress at the box office. His earlier works like 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa' and 'Hera Pheri' remain fan favourites, but recent outings have not matched that success. Akshay Kumar, after a string of mixed releases in the last couple of years, joins hands with Saif Ali Khan, whose recent performances have been appreciated, though his box office pull has been inconsistent. With 'Haiwaan', expectations were high due to the star cast and the director's legacy, especially as it marks the reunion of Akshay and Saif after a long gap.

Did Priyadarshan manage to recapture his old magic? Did Akshay Kumar's villainous turn bring freshness to the film? Has Saif Ali Khan delivered another memorable performance? Does the adaptation of 'Oppam' offer anything new to Hindi audiences? Let's figure it out with a detailed analysis.

What is it about?

'Haiwaan' is a suspense crime thriller centered around Shyam (Saif Ali Khan), a visually impaired maintenance supervisor in a Mumbai apartment complex. Shyam shares a close bond with Pradhan (Boman Irani), a retired judge residing in the same building. The story takes a dark turn when Judge Pradhan is murdered under mysterious circumstances, and suspicion falls squarely on Shyam. As the police close in, Shyam must protect Pradhan’s daughter, Nandini (Shriya Pilgaonkar), from unseen dangers. The real antagonist is Parashuram (Akshay Kumar), whose connection to Pradhan and motives for the crime unravel as the plot progresses. The film follows Shyam’s desperate attempts to clear his name and shield the innocent, leading to a tense cat-and-mouse chase.

Performances

Saif Ali Khan (Shyam): Saif delivers a nuanced and mature portrayal of a visually impaired man. His body language, dialogue delivery, and understated emotions make Shyam a believable and empathetic character. Saif’s performance stands out as the emotional core of the film, especially in scenes where he tries to protect Nandini amidst mounting suspicion.

Akshay Kumar (Parashuram): Akshay surprises with his ruthless and cold portrayal of the antagonist. Sporting a new look, he brings a certain menace to Parashuram, making the character both unpredictable and engaging. His screen presence in the second half, especially during the confrontations, adds much-needed tension to the proceedings.

Boman Irani (Pradhan): As the retired judge, Boman Irani brings gravitas to his limited screen time. His chemistry with Saif in the early portions establishes the emotional stakes for the rest of the film.

Shriya Pilgaonkar (Nandini): Shriya plays the vulnerable daughter with sincerity. While her role is not heavily layered, she manages to evoke sympathy and is convincing in the emotional moments.

Supporting cast members deliver adequate performances, but none stand out beyond the principal quartet.

Technicalities

Music/Songs: Pritam Chakraborty’s soundtrack is underwhelming. The songs fail to leave a mark and often disrupt the narrative flow, especially in a genre that demands a tighter grip on tension.

Background Score: The background music, also handled by Pritam, does its job in heightening suspense during key sequences but lacks a memorable motif or theme that lingers after the film.

Cinematography: Divakar Mani’s camera work is one of the technical highlights. The visuals effectively capture the claustrophobic atmosphere of the apartment complex and use lighting to enhance the thriller elements.

Editing: Aiyappan Nair M.S. could have trimmed the first half significantly. The slow pace and lengthy exposition drag the film down, making the runtime feel longer than necessary. Tighter editing, especially in the initial segments, would have benefited the narrative.

Positives

1. Saif Ali Khan’s mature and convincing performance as Shyam
2. Akshay Kumar’s fresh and menacing turn as the antagonist
3. Engaging cat-and-mouse sequences in the second half
4. Effective cinematography that suits the thriller mood

Negatives

1. Slow and tedious first half with excessive exposition
2. Lack of novelty for those familiar with the original Malayalam film
3. Routine remake format with minimal creative changes
4. Unimpressive songs that hamper the narrative
5. Logical loopholes and unnecessarily lengthy runtime

Analysis

Priyadarshan, who has previously excelled in adapting stories across languages, seems to have played it too safe with 'Haiwaan'. The film closely follows the structure and scenes of the Malayalam original 'Oppam', offering little innovation for viewers who have seen the source material. While the writing retains some of the original’s strengths, the direction lacks the tautness required for a gripping thriller. The first half is particularly sluggish, spending too much time on backstory and character establishment, which dilutes the suspense.

The second half picks up pace, with the confrontation between Shyam and Parashuram injecting much-needed energy. However, the screenplay remains predictable, and the emotional beats do not land as powerfully as intended. Compared to Priyadarshan’s earlier thrillers, such as 'Bhool Bhulaiyaa', 'Haiwaan' feels less inventive and more by-the-numbers. The film also suffers from the common pitfall of remakes—over-reliance on the original’s template without adapting enough to the sensibilities of the Hindi audience.

In the context of recent Telugu and Hindi crime thrillers, 'Haiwaan' falls short of the benchmark set by films like 'Drushyam' (Telugu) or even 'Andhadhun' (Hindi), both of which balanced suspense and emotional depth more effectively. The lack of a strong musical score and the inclusion of unnecessary songs further dilute the impact. While the performances, especially by Saif and Akshay, elevate the material to an extent, they are not enough to overcome the film’s structural weaknesses.

Final Verdict

Routine Thriller With Strong Performances Rating – 2.5/5