Priyadarshan returns with Haiwaan, a Hindi remake of his own 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam. The original starred Mohanlal, while the Hindi version brings together Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar in the lead. Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Sharib Hashmi, Rajpal Yadav and Manoj Joshi are also part of the ensemble.
Priyadarshan has already given Hindi cinema several successful remakes of Malayalam films, including Hera Pheri, Hungama, Hulchul, Garam Masala, Chup Chup Ke, Dhol and Bhool Bhulaiyaa. Haiwaan follows the same route. The problem is that anyone who has watched Oppam will find very little that is new here. At 165 minutes, however, the film is considerably longer than it needs to be. Still, the film has some solid sequences, two terrific performances and enough suspense to make it a decent one time watch.
Haiwaan Story
The film begins with a man drowning someone in a river. His snake tattoo and intimidating presence immediately tell us that this is someone dangerous. The story then shifts to Mumbai, where we meet Shyam Rane, played by Saif Ali Khan.
Shyam is visually impaired and has been looking after his siblings since their father’s death. His lack of eyesight has made his other senses extremely sharp. He can recognise people through their smell, footsteps and sounds. He works as a maintenance manager in a high rise building and knows almost everything happening around the place.
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His life changes when he meets retired judge Pradhan, played by Boman Irani. Pradhan has a troubled past. His family was destroyed after a false accusation, and the consequences pushed his son Parshuram into a dark and dangerous path.
Parshuram, played by Akshay Kumar, has spent years in a mental hospital. After getting out, he decides to take revenge on everyone he believes is responsible for his family’s destruction.
When Pradhan is killed, Shyam finds himself responsible for protecting a little girl. He also learns about the threat posed by Parshuram. What follows is a cat and mouse game, with Shyam using his extraordinary senses to identify and stay ahead of a killer who can strike at any moment.
Haiwaan Movie Review
Let’s address the biggest point first. Haiwaan is almost a scene to scene remake of Oppam. The basic story, major situations and overall narrative remain largely the same. The biggest change is the setting, with the story moving from Kochi to Mumbai.
So, if you have watched Oppam, don’t expect many surprises. But if we keep the remake factor aside, Haiwaan is fairly engaging in parts.
Priyadarshan knows how to stage a thriller, and that experience shows in some of the film’s sequences. The first half takes its time establishing Shyam and Parshuram, but there are enough moments to keep you interested.
The second half is where the film gets better. Once the chase between Shyam and Parshuram becomes more intense, the narrative becomes more involving. There are a few sequences that genuinely create tension, and the film manages to build curiosity despite its familiar storyline.
Akshay’s character is one of the better additions to this version. Parshuram has a strong presence and the writing gives him enough menace to remain threatening. His unusual mannerisms and creepy laughter make him an unsettling antagonist.
The problem is the runtime. Haiwaan runs for 165 minutes, and that is simply too much for this story. The film could easily have been trimmed by 20 to 25 minutes. The first hour, in particular, feels stretched, while some portions after the interval could have moved much faster.
The screenplay also becomes predictable at times. Since the film follows Oppam so closely, there is little mystery for audiences familiar with the original. Even otherwise, certain developments can be figured out in advance. Interestingly, the film still manages to recover in its latter portions. The thriller elements become stronger and the confrontation between the two leads gives the film the push it needs.
Music And Technical Aspects
The cinematography is undoubtedly the best technical aspect. The visuals give Haiwaan a polished and atmospheric look. The Mumbai setting also adds a different texture to the story. The sound design is effective, while the production design is decent.
Ronnie Raphael’s background score is a major plus. It adds tremendous energy to the suspense sequences and takes several scenes a notch higher. Pritam’s songs are a mixed bag. Rangiyara works, but the remaining songs don’t leave much of an impression. The editing should have been sharper. Had the film been closer to the two hour mark, the overall impact would have been much stronger.
Haiwaan Performances
Saif Ali Khan is fantastic as Shyam. He gets the mannerisms of a visually impaired man right without making the character feel exaggerated. His body language and controlled expressions work particularly well. In fact, his performance is one of the biggest reasons to watch the film.
Akshay Kumar is terrific as Parshuram. He goes into a completely different zone with this character and creates the right villainous aura. His laugh is genuinely creepy and can stay with you even after the scene is over.
Boman Irani is dependable as always and brings the required authority to Judge Pradhan. Sharib Hashmi provides several lighter moments and is consistently entertaining.
Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar are impressive in their respective roles. Rajpal Yadav, Manoj Joshi and Pahal Chaudhary provide decent support.
The late Asrani, as security guard Hussain, is a small delight. His performance is warm, natural and funny. He makes an impression despite limited screen time. The supporting cast collectively adds value, but the film belongs to Saif and Akshay.
Final Verdict
Haiwaan is a solid thriller that benefits immensely from the coming together of Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar. Saif’s restrained act as Shyam is terrific, while Akshay brings a completely different and menacing shade to the screen as Parshuram. Their face-off gives the film several engaging moments.
Priyadarshan also succeeds in creating an atmospheric world with superb cinematography, effective sound design and Ronnie Raphael’s outstanding background score. The second half is particularly gripping and keeps the suspense alive.
Yes, the film is lengthy and those who have watched Oppam may not find much novelty in the story. But even with these limitations, Haiwaan delivers enough suspense, drama and strong performances to keep you invested. For fans of Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar and suspense thrillers, Haiwaan is a worthwhile theatrical watch.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐½ (3.5/5)
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