Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar are back on screen together in Haiwaan, a new crime thriller that may not be a repeat watch, but still makes for an enjoyable trip to the theater.
Directed by Priyadarshan, and also starring Boman Irani, Haiwaan follows a blind man, played by Saif Ali Khan, who finds himself protecting a young girl from a psychopathic killer, played by Akshay Kumar.
The movie takes its time getting started, with much of the first half dedicated to establishing the story and its characters. While the slower pace is noticeable, that extra time ultimately works in the film’s favor. By the intermission, there is enough investment in the characters and story to want to know what happens next.
Interestingly, the first half may actually be more enjoyable than the second. While the latter half brings more action and some genuinely funny comedic moments, the slower story-building of the first half helps make the movie more engaging.
Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar Make Their On-Screen Reunion Count
The performances are solid across the board, with both Khan and Kumar fitting their respective roles well.
Khan has the larger role as the blind protagonist, while Kumar steps into the role of the psychotic killer. Kumar fits the character well, although a few additional scenes could have helped develop his character further.
The supporting cast also delivers, including the young girl at the center of the story.
Beyond the performances themselves, it is simply fun to see Khan and Kumar sharing the screen again after so many years.
Haiwaan Requires Viewers to Look Past Some Details
There are a few logical inconsistencies that viewers may have to overlook to fully enjoy Haiwaan.
For example, Kumar's character is described as left-handed but is frequently seen using his right hand. There are also moments when Khan's portrayal makes it easy to forget that his character is blind.
These details don't necessarily ruin the overall experience, but enjoying the movie requires accepting some of those inconsistencies and taking the story for what it is.
Additionally, one element that doesn't work as well is the music.
Some of the song-and-dance sequences feel unnecessarily inserted into the movie rather than naturally enhancing the story. The music itself isn't particularly memorable either, making those moments feel more distracting than beneficial.
A Fun One-Time Watch That Runs Too Long
At two hours and 44 minutes, Haiwaan is also longer than it needs to be. Cutting roughly 20 to 25 minutes could have helped tighten the movie and improve the overall experience.
The film is also fairly predictable and doesn't necessarily create the edge-of-your-seat tension that audiences might expect from a crime thriller. Still, it remains entertaining enough to keep viewers interested in seeing how everything plays out.
Ultimately, Haiwaan is an enjoyable “time pass” movie, particularly for audiences who already enjoy crime thrillers. It may not be a film worth repeatedly revisiting, but it offers solid performances, funny moments and an entertaining story while it lasts.
Haiwaan released in theaters September 11, 2026.
