Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan’s reunion after 18 years has sparked a strong response on social media following the release of Priyadarshan’s Haiwaan, with viewers particularly praising the performances of both actors.
According to NDTV, Kumar’s portrayal of the antagonist has emerged as one of the film’s biggest attractions, with viewers calling his performance intense, frightening and convincing.
One viewer praised Kumar’s transformation, describing his performance as psychologically complex, dark and disturbing. The fan singled out the opening sequence and climax, while also praising the cinematography, visuals and background score. The story was said to carry shades of Cape Fear, while Saif’s character was praised for its emotional depth. The screenplay reportedly gathers pace in the second half through its cat-and-mouse chase, with a satisfying ending and a surprise cameo.
Another viewer called Haiwaan a gripping psychological thriller driven by strong performances from both leads. The stylish visuals and background music also drew praise, while Priyadarshan was credited with maintaining tension in the latter half before an unexpected ending.
Fans also described the film as an intense revenge story with an engaging first half. One viewer called Kumar’s villain terrifying and impressive, praising his screen presence, attitude and intensity, while describing Saif as solid.
Another user said Saif was impressive and Kumar “nailed” the antagonist. The face-off between the two stars was highlighted as a major attraction, although the viewer felt the film could have been 15 minutes shorter.
Another fan praised Priyadarshan’s direction and strong first half, while admiring Kumar’s acting and Saif’s return to the big screen after a long gap.
Haiwaan also stars Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Sharib Hashmi, Rajpal Yadav, Rajesh Sharma, Pahal Chaudhary and Manoj Joshi. Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn produced the film under KVN Productions and Thespian Films.
