The trailer of Haiwaan wastes no time creating an unsettling atmosphere. Directed by Priyadarshan, the thriller brings Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan together in roles that appear far removed from their usual screen personas. With a dangerous predator, a vulnerable blind man and a tense cat-and-mouse game, the film looks intriguingly dark.
Haiwaan Trailer Sets Up a Dark Battle
There is very little hand-holding in the Haiwaan trailer. Instead of revealing the entire story, Priyadarshan builds curiosity through silence, sudden violence and an increasingly tense background score.
The result is a trailer that feels deliberately uncomfortable. It gives just enough information to establish the central conflict while keeping the larger mystery intact.
At the centre of the story is Akshay Kumar, who appears to be playing one of the darkest characters of his career. Rather than the familiar larger-than-life hero, the actor seems to embrace a far more disturbing personality, making his presence one of the trailer’s biggest talking points.
Opposite him is Saif Ali Khan, who plays a blind man caught in an increasingly dangerous situation. His character’s vulnerability immediately changes the dynamic between the two leads. The trailer suggests that this isn’t simply a conventional hero-versus-villain story, but a psychological battle where survival could depend on staying one step ahead.
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan’s Unusual Pairing Stands Out
The biggest strength of the trailer is arguably the contrast between its two leading actors.
Akshay’s character appears physically threatening and unpredictable, while Saif’s character has to navigate the danger without the advantage of sight. That setup creates an interesting power imbalance and gives their confrontation a psychological edge.
The trailer also avoids turning Saif’s blindness into a mere character gimmick. Instead, it appears to be an important part of the suspense, potentially influencing how he understands and responds to the threat around him.
For two established stars, the willingness to move away from conventional heroic portrayals makes Haiwaan particularly interesting.
Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher and Others Add More Layers
The film isn’t built entirely around its two leads.
Boman Irani appears as a judge, while Saiyami Kher plays a police officer. Shriya Pilgaonkar and Sharib Hashmi are also part of the ensemble in important roles.
Their presence suggests that the film has a larger narrative surrounding the central conflict. The trailer gives only brief glimpses of these characters, but they appear to have roles that could become important as the mystery unfolds.
Priyadarshan Takes a Serious Turn
The trailer also highlights a different side of filmmaker Priyadarshan.
Known for his hugely popular comedies as well as films across multiple genres, the director appears to be leaning heavily into suspense and psychological tension here. The controlled pacing, darker visual tone and restrained storytelling give Haiwaan a distinct identity.
Rather than filling the trailer with constant action or dramatic dialogue, the filmmaker allows the atmosphere to create much of the suspense.
That approach could work particularly well on the big screen if the film maintains the same tension throughout its runtime.
A Different Phase for Akshay Kumar
Haiwaan arrives at an interesting point in Akshay Kumar’s career.
The actor has continued to move between commercial franchises, comedies and socially driven films, but this project gives him an opportunity to explore a much darker character. The trailer suggests that he is deliberately stepping away from his familiar heroic image.
That change could prove valuable if the performance matches the menace promised by the promotional material.
For Saif Ali Khan, the role offers a different challenge altogether. Playing a blind character in a thriller requires the performance to communicate fear, vulnerability and determination without relying entirely on conventional physical action.
Release Date and Production Details
Directed by Priyadarshan, Haiwaan is produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn under KVN Productions and Thespian Films.
The film stars Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Sharib Hashmi.
Haiwaan is scheduled to release worldwide in cinemas on September 11, 2026.
Verdict: A Thriller Worth Watching Out For
The Haiwaan trailer succeeds because it doesn’t reveal too much. Instead, it sells the film through atmosphere, an unusual central premise and the intriguing combination of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.
If the full film manages to maintain the tension established here, Priyadarshan could have a genuinely gripping theatrical thriller on his hands.
For now, Haiwaan looks like a welcome departure from the routine hero-versus-villain formula, with its biggest attraction being the question of just how dangerous Akshay’s character really is.
