Priyadarshan’s Haiwaan has found its hook even before release, and it is not just the sight of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan squaring off in its hard edged first look. The bigger surprise is behind the casting itself. Akshay Kumar, who now fronts the film’s antagonist arc, was not the filmmaker’s first choice for the part.
That reveal gives Haiwaan a far more layered origin story. Before Akshay stepped in, Priyadarshan had first approached Bobby Deol for the role, while Akshaye Khanna was also in the mix during the casting process. The filmmaker’s latest comments have now thrown fresh light on how one of the film’s biggest creative decisions took shape.
The first look posters of Haiwaan, unveiled on July 15, 2026, introduced Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in intense, rugged avatars and instantly signalled a tense face off at the centre of the thriller. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film is the official Hindi remake of his 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam. It also features Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar, and is slated for a theatrical release on September 11, 2026.
Priyadarshan Opens Up About The Villain Casting
Priyadarshan has now shared that Akshay Kumar was not part of the original plan for the antagonist’s role in Haiwaan. The filmmaker initially wanted Bobby Deol for the character, and Akshaye Khanna was also considered before the film ultimately found its final casting combination.
He also recalled how Akshay came on board with almost no prolonged discussion. Priyadarshan said, “He asked me what I’m doing next. I told him that I’m working on a film, but I’m not able to find the villain. I needed someone very good for the part. When I told him about the film, he asked me if he could do it. He came on board that easily and quickly.”
The director added, “I was shocked! There was no detailed discussion that happened. I never narrate my films to Akshay. I tell him the story and about his character and the others in a gist. He always asks me, ‘Are you excited?’ If I tell him that I’m excited, he won’t be very happy. If I tell him that I’m very excited, only then will he tell me, ‘Let’s do the film, sir,’”
That candid account gives the film an appealing sense of spontaneity. What began as a search for the right villain eventually turned into one of the most talked about casting turns in Priyadarshan’s current lineup, with Akshay and Saif now positioned at the centre of the film’s biggest draw.
What Haiwaan Means For Akshay Kumar’s 2026 Slate
For Akshay Kumar, Haiwaan now stands out as one of the most closely watched films in his 2026 lineup. He has already reunited with Priyadarshan in Bhooth Bangla, and Haiwaan continues that renewed creative partnership in a sharply different zone. With its September 11, 2026 theatrical release locked, the film adds a tense thriller to a year that further deepens his collaboration with the veteran filmmaker.
The Bobby Deol and Akshaye Khanna angle also leaves behind an irresistible casting what if. Both actors carry a strong screen intensity, which makes Priyadarshan’s original choices especially intriguing in retrospect. But the director’s own recollection makes it clear that Haiwaan found its final shape only when Akshay Kumar entered the conversation and sealed the part with startling ease.
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