“Every Project Needs Its Own Identity”: Director Priyadarshan Talks Crafting a Darker Avatar for Akshay Kumar in Haiwaan!

Ahead of the highly anticipated thriller Haiwaan, National Award-winning director #Priyadarshan shared that he intentionally kept his cast from watching his earlier film Oppam during the preparation for this new adaptation. Emphasizing that Haiwaan ought to stand as an original interpretation rather than a direct copy, the filmmaker wanted his cast to craft their roles organically without imitating prior performances. He said, “I never show any of my films when I’m remaking them. I’ll never show them to anyone. Because that film will have no connection with this film. And also, if you show it to them, they will try to imitate those actors. And I don’t want to do that.”

The director’s approach to Haiwaan also extended to its casting, particularly when it came to its two leading men. Priyadarshan revealed that Saif Ali Khan had been his first choice from the very beginning for the role of Shyam. Akshay Kumar’s casting, however, came about in a more unexpected way, with the actor himself expressing his interest in playing Haiwaan. Priyadarshan saw the opportunity to present Akshay in a darker and more villainous avatar, something he felt would give the film and the actor a distinctly different flavour.

He said, “That’s the difference, because every film should not look the same. So I thought I could use Akshay Kumar in a different way. So this is one opportunity I got and I decided, okay, let me work with him in a different role.”

Haiwaan is produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films by Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn. The film stars Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in lead roles, along with Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Sharib Hashmi in pivotal roles. The film releases worldwide in cinemas on 11th September 2026.

By Keerti Kadam