Saif Ali Khan On Collaborating with Priyadarshan for the First Time in Haiwaan: ‘We Met at the Right Time’!
Actor Saif Ali Khan and director Priyadarshan are collaborating for the first time in the upcoming edge-of-the-seat thriller Haiwaan, where Saif essays the challenging role of a visually impaired character. While the film’s trailer provided a intriguing glimpse into his performance, the actor candidly opened up about working with the veteran filmmaker. Saif confessed that earlier in his career, he felt their artistic worlds might be too different, but believes they have ultimately crossed paths at the perfect moment.
Reflecting on his initial thoughts about the director, Saif shared, “The first impression was just this massive body of work and how many varied films he had done and what a prolific director he was and what a calm and cool personality. When I was younger, I thought perhaps our worlds—I was wondering how we would match because I wasn’t very well trained as an actor. I kind of knew how to do certain kinds of rom-coms, but I didn’t know if I’d fit into his world. Even though he’s got different genres, I don’t know how good I would have been, but I think we met at the right time where I understand a little bit more of what’s expected of me now.”
Describing Priyadarshan’s disciplined approach on set, Saif expressed immense appreciation for the filmmaker’s efficiency. “I really enjoyed working with him more than I’ve enjoyed working with anyone because he’s so economical and doesn’t waste any time and is so clear on what he wants that second-guessing and wondering and insecurity is just not there. I like being productive in the morning and getting on with it and finishing on time and not going on forever till everybody is exhausted, so that there’s a high level of productivity and focus and energy. It can spoil you; you’ll find it hard to work with other people after you work with him because of how disciplined he is,” he said.
The actor also shared a fascinating anecdote highlighting Priyadarshan’s uncompromising vision and speed. “He’s also really artistic; he once packed up a bunch of violin players because he didn’t like them. They were not what he wanted, he wanted a different quality. We still finished three hours early. He packed them up from Town (South Mumbai), the new lot came from Andheri, and we still finished three hours early because that’s how he shoots. It’s not about finishing early, it’s about not wasting time, and it’s amazing how he gets things out and to watch him directing comedy—this is not a comedy, but there are some comedy elements—and I actually saw how he directs it. If you just copy him as an actor, that’s all you have to do. He’s a great actor also, he is a very calm, direct, very interesting person,” Saif shared.
Applauding the director’s seamless blend of artistic sensibility and commercial practicality, Saif added, “He’s also very clever because I remember he didn’t like a parking lot once, so he shot the scene really dark because it’s a blind character, so he’s saying it’ll be hard for him, let’s not see the thing. So he’s super clever and it was a real treat for me and a blessing for me to get such a good director and such a good role at this stage of my career; I can’t get over it.”
Co-starring Akshay Kumar alongside Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Sharib Hashmi, Haiwaan is produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn under the banners of KVN Productions and Thespian Films. The film is set for a worldwide theatrical release on September 11, 2026.
By Keerti Kadam