Haiwaan Movie Opens in Theatres With Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan

Haiwaan movie has finally arrived in cinemas, bringing Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan back together on the big screen after several years. Directed by Priyadarshan, the Hindi crime thriller released across theatres on September 11, 2026, with the reunion of the two actors being one of its biggest talking points.

The film also features Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Boman Irani and Sharib Hashmi in important roles, while Malayalam superstar Mohanlal makes a special appearance. The movie is presented as a suspense-driven thriller and is adapted from the Malayalam film Oppam.

A Long-Awaited Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan Reunion

The release of Haiwaan marks another on-screen collaboration between Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, two actors who have shared the screen in films including Yeh Dillagi, Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Natasha.

Their latest collaboration arrives nearly two decades after their previous appearance together in Natasha. This time, however, the actors are entering a darker world of crime and suspense rather than the lighter commercial space associated with some of their earlier collaborations.

Akshay Kumar plays Parshuram Gokhale, while Saif Ali Khan plays Shy am Rane. The contrasting roles give the two actors a different dynamic from their earlier films.

Haiwaan Movie Opens to Modest Box Office Numbers

The film’s theatrical opening has been relatively slow.

Early trade estimates put the first-day India net collection at around ₹3 crore, although different tracking sources have reported slightly different figures as final numbers were still being compiled. India Today reported an estimated ₹3 crore net collection, while Bollywood Hungama’s live tracking showed approximately ₹2.80 crore.

The opening is below what might have been expected from a film featuring two established Bollywood stars and Priyadarshan as director.

Competition has also emerged as an important factor. Haiwaan has arrived while Mirzapur: The Movie continues its theatrical run and Hanuman Ansh remains a strong performer. The crowded box office could make it more difficult for the new release to immediately establish itself.

Early Audience Response Highlights Akshay Kumar

The initial audience reactions have drawn attention to Akshay Kumar’s performance, particularly his portrayal of a darker character.

Early social-media reactions have been mixed, with some viewers praising the performances and thriller elements while others have questioned the pacing and adaptation. Mohanlal’s special appearance has also attracted considerable attention from audiences familiar with the original Malayalam film.

Rather than relying solely on the star power of its lead actors, the film will now depend on audience word-of-mouth to improve its performance over the weekend.

From Oppam to Haiwaan

Haiwaan is adapted from Priyadarshan’s Malayalam thriller Oppam, which originally starred Mohanlal.

The Hindi version retains the basic thriller foundation while bringing a new cast and setting the story within a Bollywood framework. Priyadarshan, who directed the original film, is also at the helm of the Hindi adaptation.

The connection to Oppam adds another layer of interest to the project, particularly for viewers who have already seen the Malayalam original.

The remake also gives Hindi audiences an opportunity to experience a story that was previously successful in Malayalam cinema.

Haiwaan Movie Cast and Crew

The film features a sizeable ensemble alongside its two lead actors.

Main cast:

• Akshay Kumar as Parshuram Gokhale
• Saif Ali Khan as Shy am Rane
• Shriya Pilgaonkar as Naina
• Saiyami Kher as Inspector Varsha
• Boman Irani as Judge Pradhan
• Sharib Hashmi as Senior Inspector Ashok Shinde
• Rajpal Yadav as Chandu
• Mohanlal in a special appearance

Priyadarshan directs the film, while Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn are credited as producers under KVN Productions and Thespian Films. Pritam handles the music, with Javed Akhtar credited as lyricist.

Can the Film Recover During the Weekend?

The opening day numbers are only the beginning of the theatrical journey. For Haiwaan, Saturday and Sunday will be particularly important.

A significant increase in occupancy over the weekend could help the film compensate for its modest Friday opening. Positive word-of-mouth could also encourage more viewers to choose the film during evening and weekend shows.

However, the film is competing against titles that have already established strong audience momentum. That makes the weekend hold crucial to its box-office prospects.

The early occupancy data also suggests that the film had relatively limited traction during its opening day, although evening and night shows performed better than morning screenings.

What Makes Haiwaan Worth Watching?

The biggest attraction is the combination of Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan and Priyadarshan.

The film offers the two actors an opportunity to move away from some of their more familiar commercial roles and work within a crime-thriller setup. Akshay’s darker character in particular has generated curiosity among audiences.

For viewers who enjoy suspense films, the connection with Oppam and Priyadarshan’s experience with the thriller genre are additional reasons for interest.

The film’s eventual reception, however, will depend on whether it can distinguish itself from the original while creating enough tension and emotional investment for a Hindi-speaking audience.

Haiwaan Movie: What’s Next at the Box Office?

The second day and opening weekend will provide a clearer indication of the film’s theatrical potential.

If Haiwaan sees a substantial rise in collections over the weekend, the initial slow start could become less significant. On the other hand, if the film struggles to improve its occupancy despite the weekend advantage, its overall box-office run could face an uphill battle.

For now, the film has opened with modest numbers, but the story is far from over. The coming days will reveal whether Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan’s reunion can turn audience curiosity into sustained theatrical business.

Haiwaan Movie — Key Details

Box-office figures are early trade estimates and may be revised as final collections are reported.