Bollywood's latest crime thriller, Haiwaan, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, premiered in theaters on September 11, 2026, to a largely mixed bag of reactions from audiences and critics alike. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film centers on a blind caretaker implicated in a judge's murder and a relentless killer pursuing the judge's hidden daughter.
Audience Reactions Highlight Originality Concerns
Soon after its first-day screenings, social media platforms, particularly Twitter, were abuzz with discussions about Haiwaan. A significant number of netizens pointed out striking similarities between Haiwaan and the 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, which featured superstar Mohanlal in the lead role. Critics online described Haiwaan as an almost exact replica, often using phrases like “scene-to-scene copy” and “frame to frame copy.”
One user commented on the perceived lack of originality, stating, “Why does #Haiwaan feel almost scene-to-scene copy of #Oppam despite having the same director? And why has no South remake truly cracked the Hindi box office since #kabirsingh? There’s hope for #Akshaykumar, but #Saif has the toughest job—filling #Mohanlal ’s shoes is never easy.”
Another tweet echoed this sentiment, lamenting, “Sorry to Say, #Haiwaan is frame to frame copy of #Oppam...not even subplots are changed...In one scene where an address needs to be conveyed, they even retain the same handpump reference from #Oppam. #AkshayKumar deserves better...Haiwaan has been lazy work since beginning...zero creativity.” These observations suggest a disappointment among viewers expecting fresh storytelling.
Akshay Kumar's Performance Receives Praise
Despite the widespread criticism regarding its originality, Akshay Kumar's portrayal of the antagonist, Parshuram, garnered positive attention. Several users were pleasantly surprised by his intense and menacing performance, contrasting it with his more conventional heroic roles.
A user lauded his act, writing, “Priyadarshan is BACK! A solid theatrical thriller that balances story & commercial masala perfectly. Akshay Kumar as Parshuram is MENACING - raw, intense & unpredictable. MUST WATCH on big screen!”
Another fan praised Kumar for stepping outside his comfort zone: “#AkshayKumar is easily at his best when he steps away from the conventional hero image. After negative shades in films like Ajnabee and 2.0, #Haiwaan gives him a much more disturbing space — and he owns it. This is the Akshay I wanted to see more of.”
Cast and Production
The film, directed by veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan, also features a strong supporting cast including Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Rajpal Yadav, Sharib Hashmi, and Jisshu Sengupta. While the critical reception has been divided, the performances, particularly Akshay Kumar's, seem to be a notable highlight for some viewers.