News

The countdown for one of the most anticipated on-screen reunions in Bollywood has officially begun. Haiwaan, the upcoming action-thriller starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, has successfully cleared its theatrical certification process ahead of its worldwide release this Friday, September 11, 2026.

The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) awarded the Priyadarshan-directed film a U/A 16+ certificate on September 8. Along with the clearance, the final theatrical runtime has been locked at an expansive 164 minutes and 7 seconds (approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes), promising a gripping, slow-burn psychological game.

The 'Oppam' Connection and Saif's Blind Protagonist

Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn under KVN Productions and Thespian Films, Haiwaan is an official Hindi remake of Priyadarshan’s own 2016 Malayalam blockbuster, Oppam, which originally starred Mohanlal.

The Role: Saif Ali Khan steps into the shoes of Shyam, a visually impaired man who inadvertently becomes embroiled in a dangerous, high-stakes situation.

A Fresh Interpretation: To ensure Saif’s performance didn't become a mere imitation of Mohanlal's acclaimed acting, director Priyadarshan strictly instructed Saif not to watch the original film.

"Saif has no idea what Mohanlal has done. I did not allow it... His dialogue delivery, body language and hand and head gestures are completely different. Imitation never works in acting," Priyadarshan shared recently, praising Saif's original approach to the complex character.

Reassembling a Cult Duo: How Akshay Kumar Came on Board The primary draw for Haiwaan is the cinematic reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after 17 years. The duo, who delivered definitive 90s hits like Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Yeh Dillagi, last shared the screen in 2008's Tashan.

Interestingly, Akshay Kumar’s involvement was entirely spontaneous. While Priyadarshan was shooting Bhoot Bangla with Akshay, he casually mentioned searching for an actor for a specific role in Haiwaan. Akshay immediately volunteered, telling the director, "I will do it". Priyadarshan noted that the opportunity to present a completely new facet of Akshay Kumar was what excited him the most about the casting.

Trade Verdict:

Landing an expansive 2-hour-44-minute runtime indicates that Priyadarshan has retained the detailed, suspense-heavy pacing of the Malayalam original. With the nostalgia factor of the Akshay-Saif pairing and a U/A 16+ rating that promises mature thriller elements, Haiwaan arrives this Friday as a major theatrical proposition, looking to capture the adult demographic ahead of the packed holiday release windows.