The first wave of word-of-mouth on Haiwaan is in, and the early verdict points to a film that leans hard on its performers rather than its plotting. Directed by Priyadarshan, this Hindi-language crime thriller from the Tollywood stable opens in theatres on September 11, 2026, and runs a hefty 164 minutes. It pairs Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan on screen in what is being described as a clash of loyalties rather than a straightforward hero-versus-villain showdown.
The story follows a retired judge who finds himself unable to shield his daughter from a convict he once put behind bars. When the judge is eventually murdered, a visually impaired man who had been devoted to him steps in to protect the daughter. Kumar plays Parshuram in that protective role, while Khan appears as Shyam. The premise gives the film its central tension: a man with limited sight taking on the burden of guarding someone against a threat that refuses to fade.
Priyadarshan is not a name audiences typically associate with this genre. The veteran filmmaker has spent decades building a reputation in comedies and large-canvas entertainers, so his move into crime-thriller territory is itself one of the bigger talking points around Haiwaan.
Cast and Supporting Turns
The ensemble is deep. Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Rajpal Yadav, Rajesh Sharma and Sharib Hashmi all feature, with the latter playing Sanjay Shinde. Saiyami Kher takes on the role of Inspector Varsha Joshi, adding a law-enforcement presence to a narrative that already revolves around a judge and a convict. For a film built on suspicion and pursuit, that kind of bench strength matters, and early feedback suggests the supporting cast is doing more than filling space.
What the First Review Says
The first review making the rounds credits the film's emotional core to Akshay Kumar's restrained turn, arguing that he carries the protective angle without overselling it. Saif Ali Khan's Shyam is said to bring an unsettling edge that keeps the tension alive whenever he is on screen. Priyadarshan's direction is praised for keeping the runtime from feeling bloated despite crossing the two-and-a-half-hour mark, though the screenplay is flagged as uneven in its middle stretch. The review also notes that the thriller elements land better than the dramatic beats, with the father-daughter thread doing the heavy lifting early on.
What seems to be working in Haiwaan's favour is its refusal to treat the visually impaired protagonist as a figure of pity. The character is written as capable and driven, and that choice gives the second half its momentum. The convict-versus-protector dynamic is described as the film's strongest asset, even when the writing takes predictable turns.
On the technical side, the review highlights the background score and the editing as key contributors to the pacing. The cinematography is noted for its use of shadow and confined spaces, which suits a story about a man navigating threats he cannot always see coming. None of this is presented as revolutionary, but it is described as competent and fitting for the material.
Where It Falls Short
The criticisms are just as specific. The review points to a sagging middle act where the investigation thread loses steam, and a few supporting characters who feel underused given the talent attached. Some tonal shifts between the crime elements and the more sentimental passages are said to jar. The rating on TMDb currently sits at 0/10, though that figure reflects an absence of aggregated audience votes rather than a genuine critical consensus, so it should not be read as a verdict.
Release and Outlook
Haiwaan arrives in cinemas on September 11, 2026, at 164 minutes in Hindi. For Telugu audiences tracking Tollywood's output, the film's genre positioning and its two lead actors are likely to be the main draw. Whether Priyadarshan's shift into darker territory pays off across a full theatrical run will depend on how general audiences respond to a story that, by early accounts, rests squarely on its performances. The first review suggests the film is worth watching for Kumar and Khan, even if the script does not always match their intensity.
Source: Filmibeat Telugu
