Akshay Kumar thriller Haiwaan eyes modest opening of seven crore rupees

NEW DELHI — The reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan on the big screen after nearly 18 years has arrived with reports of empty auditoriums and a precarious commercial start. Despite the pairing and the direction of Priyadarshan, the dark thriller Haiwaan is facing a stark reality check, with early data suggesting a subdued opening that fails to leverage the combined star power of its leads. While some fans celebrated the release with confetti and garlands, social media reports indicate a disconnect between this enthusiasm and actual ticket sales. One moviegoer reported seeing barely 10 people in their screen, and some users on X suggested the "remake tag" — referencing Kumar's previous films Khel Khel Mein, Mission Ranigunj, and Cuttputtli, has become a commercial liability.

Star Power vs. Box Office Reality

The commercial trajectory of Haiwaan appears unstable. According to trade analyst and distributor Raj Bansal via News9live, the film's advance response showed little indication of a strong start, leading him to estimate an opening around the Rs 7-crore mark. Bansal argues that Akshay Kumar's established star image is no longer sufficient on its own to guarantee theatrical traction if the content fails to connect. Early tracking data provides a challenging baseline. As of 10 am on opening day, India Today reported that the film had earned Rs 23 lakh nett in India, with a gross collection of Rs 0.27 crore across 1,455 shows, citing industry tracker Sacnilk.

Metric	Reported/Estimated Value	Source
Estimated Opening	Around Rs 7 crore	Raj Bansal (News9live)
Pre-sales Projection	Below Rs 5 crore	Times of India (via Sacnilk)
Day 1 Morning (10 am) Nett	Rs 23 lakh	India Today (via Sacnilk)
Day 1 Morning (10 am) Gross	Rs 0.27 crore	India Today (via Sacnilk)
Advance Ticket Volume	Fewer than 10,000 (Top chains)	Times of India (via Sacnilk)

The Dynamic of the Duo

The film's primary draw is the reunion of Kumar and Khan, who last shared the screen in Tashan. In Haiwaan, the traditional roles are inverted. Saif Ali Khan plays Shyam, a visually impaired martial artist and caretaker, while Akshay Kumar portrays Parshuram Gokhale, a ruthless psychopathic killer. Kumar prepared for this antagonist role by consulting friends in the police force to better understand a psychopathic mindset. During an appearance on Kaun Banega Crorepati, Kumar explained to Amitabh Bachchan that his character has a history that explains his transformation into a villain. Director Priyadarshan revealed to India Today that several actors had turned down the role before Kumar expressed interest in exploring a psycho character. Khan's portrayal of Shyam has been described as restrained. The actor revealed during an Instagram Live with his official fan account that his on-screen wardrobe was based on clothing he wore during an initial meeting at Priyadarshan's home, as the director liked Khan's personal style.

Creative Critique: The Shadow of 'Oppam'

While the acting is generally praised, the film struggles with its identity as a remake. Indiaforums reports that the movie is almost a scene-to-scene copy of Priyadarshan's own Malayalam film, Oppam. This faithfulness has proven detrimental for viewers familiar with the original, as twists become predictable. The production includes a special appearance by Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who played the blind lead in Oppam. However, the transition to Hindi has met mixed reactions. India Today gave the film a 2.5 rating and suggested it could have been at least 40 minutes shorter. The review noted that while Kumar has played antagonists before, the performance in Haiwaan leans into over-the-top in a way that tips occasionally into unintentional comedy rather than dread. Technical strengths include the background score and a stylish kalaripayattu action sequence. However, critics and social media users pointed to a slow first 30-35 minutes and a second half that loses steam, interrupted by song sequences. Shweta Keshri of India Today mentioned that a wedding celebration dance number occurs just before an important sequence, requiring significant patience from the audience. The film also serves as a final posthumous screen appearance for veteran actor Asrani. Kumar shared a video of the late actor from the film, describing it as his good fortune to have worked with the legend on his last shot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Haiwaan an original story?

No, it is a remake of Priyadarshan's own Malayalam film, Oppam. Critics have noted it is a very faithful, nearly scene-to-scene recreation.

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What roles do Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan play?

Akshay Kumar plays the antagonist, a psychopathic killer named Parshuram Gokhale, while Saif Ali Khan plays the protagonist, a visually impaired martial artist and caretaker named Shyam.

Who else is in the cast?

The supporting cast includes Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Rajpal Yadav, and Sharib Hashmi, with a special appearance by Mohanlal and a final appearance by the late Asrani.

The film's ultimate commercial survival now depends on its ability to generate strong spot bookings to offset the weak advance trends. Whether word-of-mouth can reverse the current trajectory remains the primary open question for the producers. As the first-day figures are finalized, the industry is watching to see if the film can overcome the remake tag that some viewers believe has hindered Kumar's recent theatrical runs. Actor Ashish Gokhale, who appears in the film, described being cast as a blissful opportunity and praised both the director and the lead actors, reflecting the high internal expectations that now face a challenging box office reality.