Haiwaan, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan and directed by Priyadarshan, is a murder mystery thriller that impresses with its performances but disappoints with a dull, slow-paced first half, earning a 2.5 out of 5.
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Boman Irani, Sharib Hashmi
Director: Priyadarshan
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan reunite on screen for the first time since Tashan in 2008 and this time they are on opposite sides of a murder mystery. Directed by Priyadarshan, Haiwaan is reportedly a remake of his 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam. The combination of two capable actors, an experienced director and an intriguing premise sounds like a winning formula.
It almost is.
The Story
Saif Ali Khan plays Shyam, a blind maintenance manager at a high-rise society in Mumbai whose routine life is shattered when retired Judge Pradhan is murdered in his flat. Shyam becomes involved in the case and soon becomes a suspect.
His situation grows more complicated when he decides to protect Nandini, who is revealed to be Pradhan’s secret daughter. But Parshuram, played by Akshay Kumar, is a ruthless killer also searching for her with a twisted connection to the murdered judge.
As Shyam races to keep Nandini safe, he uncovers a shocking secret about her, adding another layer to the already complex mystery.
The Problem — First Half Drags
The film’s most significant weakness is its first half. Haiwaan spends far too long establishing characters and storyline without generating the tension a thriller demands. The pace is slow. The suspense does not build. Audiences waiting for the thriller to kick in will find themselves checking their watches.
The second half improves considerably. The final 30 to 40 minutes finally deliver the thriller moments the film has been promising, with the climactic chase between Shyam and Parshuram emerging as the film’s most genuinely engaging sequence.
Performances — Saif Is the Star
The cast is the film’s strongest asset.
Saif Ali Khan is exceptional as Shyam. Playing a blind man convincingly requires both physical commitment and emotional vulnerability, and Saif delivers both. He keeps the audience invested even during the screenplay’s slower stretches. He is the star performer of Haiwaan without question.
Akshay Kumar brings genuine menace to Parshuram and handles the antagonist role effectively. Shriya Pilgaonkar makes her presence felt while Boman Irani and Sharib Hashmi deliver dependable performances despite limited material. Saiyami Kher is talented but underused.
Verdict — One-Time Watch
Haiwaan has a promising setup, two capable actors and an experienced director. But it takes too long to find its rhythm, and the first half simply does not deliver the suspense a thriller requires.
If you are a fan of Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, or Priyadarshan, it is worth a shot for the performances and the final act alone.
As a thriller, it does not fully live up to its potential.
Haiwaan is a strictly one-time watch.
— Imran Malik | Entertainment Desk | Sharjahnews.ae
Source: Filmibeat
