Haiwaan Movie Review: Saif and Akshay shine in Priyadarshan’s thrilling remake
Haiwaan movie review: Priyadarshan’s newest thriller has Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar sharing screen space in the Hindi remake of the Malayalam film Oppam. The setup feels solid, the actors do good work, and the suspense keeps showing up at the right times. Still, the film runs long, and the start feels sluggish. Because of that, it never turns into a fully gripping thriller. The runtime is about 164 minutes. In that time, the film takes its time to explain who the characters are and what the main conflict is. After a while, things begin to pick up. In the second half, the pace improves, and the story feels more engaging.
Haiwaan Story: A Blind Man Meets a Risky Rival
In Mumbai, Shyam Rane works as a maintenance manager in a tall apartment building. Saif Ali Khan plays him. People in the building trust him, even though he cannot see. Still, Shyam does not feel helpless. He pays close attention to sound, smell, and touch. Those clues help him map the world around him. Everything shifts when Shyam is pulled into trouble linked to Parshuram Gokhale. Akshay Kumar plays Parshuram. He is a man who seems worn down by life. Old pain has made him angry, and that anger drives him toward revenge. Soon, the story turns into a direct clash between Shyam and Parshuram. At first, blindness looks like a clear weakness. But in the end, it becomes his edge. Shyam uses his senses to notice danger early and face it without hesitation.
Haiwaan Review: Starts Slow, Gets Better
The film opens at a slow pace. It takes time to bring in the characters and explain where they come from. Because of that, the thrill parts do not arrive right away. There are also moments like songs and celebration scenes. They pull you away from the main mood. With a shorter cut, the story could have reached the key suspense scenes sooner. Still, the later section works better. The tension builds up more clearly. Several moments make you want to see what comes next. By then, the main fight feels more interesting, and the early drag is easier to forget.Saif Ali Khan stands out in Haiwaan
He plays Shyam with restraint, not with a big heroic tone. You can see it in how he moves. The way he uses his hands, his face, and his voice feels careful. He brings across a blind man who relies on other senses to make sense of the world. Shyam also comes off as sharp and steady inside. He does not feel only helpless. There are a few action moments where the body work seems a bit clumsy for the limits of the role. Still, Saif adds enough feeling to make you stay with the character.Akshay Kumar Brings a New Shade
Akshay Kumar steps into a part that is not like his usual hero roles. In the film, he is Parshuram Gokhale, a man who seems furious and rough, shaped by what he lived through earlier. Right from the first moments, he holds attention. In a number of scenes, he shows how Parshuram can snap without warning. Still, a few moments tip into too much drama, and the threat feels less sharp there. Even with that, this darker role is still a highlight of the movie.Priyadarshan's Direction and Technical Strengths
Priyadarshan shows a clear grip on the original story. You can see it in how he uses Shyam's blindness to shape what the audience feels. There is also a steady push of suspense through sound and movement. The camera work leans into a gloomy mood. Sound matters most here, since Shyam does not take in the world in the usual way. The score also backs up the tense moments in key scenes. Still, the cut is not as strong as the rest. At 164 minutes, Haiwaan feels too long. With tighter editing, it could have said the same core story in less time.
Supporting Cast Keeps Things Moving
The side cast helps the film. Sharib Hashmi plays a police officer and brings in some light moments. Boman Irani adds weight to his part and makes it feel more solid. Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami Kher stand out even with shorter time on screen. Rajpal Yadav, Rajesh Sharma, and Asrani also support their roles well. If you know the original Oppam, Mohanlal’s cameo feels like a bonus moment.
Haiwaan Movie Review: Where It Falls Short
The main issue is the long runtime. A few scenes drag on before the story lands its point. Songs and comedy also break the pace that the thriller tries to keep. The villain is not scary enough for much of the film. Akshay Kumar works hard in the role, but Parshuram does not always build the kind of fear the script seems to want. For people who watched Oppam before, some of the suspense may feel familiar.
Haiwaan Movie Review: Final Verdict
Haiwaan is not flawless as a thriller. Still, it holds attention and can be watched once without regret. The best part is the acting. Saif Ali Khan looks steady and believable. Akshay Kumar also gets room to play a more grim role. The direction by Priyadarshan helps the mood. The camera work feels moody, and the sound adds weight in key scenes. The second half is where the film stays lively. That portion lifts it above its weaker moments. If the editing was leaner, the film would feel sharper. Some scenes also drag more than they need to. The villain also does not feel scary enough. With those changes, Haiwaan could have been a stronger suspense film. So, should you watch it? Yes, if you want a mainstream suspense drama. It may also suit you if you have not seen the original Oppam.
टिप्पणी लिखें
बातचीत में शामिल होने के लिए कृपया साइन इन करें।
टिप्पणी करने के लिए साइन इन करेंखाता नहीं है? साइन अप करें