The highly anticipated Hindi remake, Haiwaan, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, has registered a dismal performance at the box office, collecting a mere ₹5.5 crore net across India in its initial two days. This opening weekend figure places it among Akshay Kumar's lowest-grossing film debuts, raising concerns within the industry.
"Absolutely Shocking" Opening Day Figures
On its opening day, Friday, September 11, 2026, Haiwaan managed to collect approximately ₹3 crore net across 7,224 shows nationwide. Trade tracker Sacnilk reported an overall occupancy of just 11%, with morning shows hovering around 5% and evening shows peaking at 18%.
Day 2 Sees Further Decline
The film's performance worsened on Saturday, Day 2, with collections dipping further to an estimated ₹2.50 crore net from 5,759 shows. This sharp decline brought the film's total India net collection over two days to ₹5.50 crore. Including overseas earnings of ₹1 crore on Day 2, the worldwide gross for Haiwaan stands at ₹8.60 crore.
Stark Contrast to Previous Success
This tepid reception marks a significant downturn for the director-star pairing of Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar, especially when compared to their previous collaboration, Bhooth Bangla. Released in April 2026, Bhooth Bangla opened with ₹16 crore net and went on to achieve an impressive ₹182 crore net in India and ₹270 crore worldwide. Industry analysts have described Haiwaan's opening as "absolutely shocking," noting the weak per-show averages and low occupancy.
With considerable competition in theatres and muted advance bookings, industry watchers are labeling Haiwaan an underperformer. Sustained strong word of mouth would be crucial for any significant revival from Monday onwards, a prospect currently viewed with skepticism.