Priyadarshan’s Haiwaan, a Hindi remake of his Malayalam film Oppam, attempts to craft a suspenseful thriller around a blind protagonist. However, the film struggles with foundational narrative flaws, ill-fitted characterization, and dramatic misdirection. Running for 164 minutes, the movie spends a substantial amount of time re-establishing basic premises without advancing the plot efficiently.
Mismatched Characterization and Logic Gaps
Saif Ali Khan plays Shyam Rane, a Maharashtrian character working as a maintenance manager in an elite Mumbai residential complex. Despite his character struggling financially to raise funds for a sibling’s wedding, his visual presentation—complete with designer co-ord sets, high-top Converse shoes, a German leather sling bag, and a luxury wristwatch—stands in stark contrast to his background.
The narrative logic contains several notable oversights:
- Logistical Choices: The protagonist takes a ferry from Mumbai to Devgad for native visits, prioritizing scenic framing over practical travel choices.
- Facility Discrepancies: The high-end residential complex lacks essential infrastructure like security cameras in corridors, elevators, or parking areas, along with a total absence of generator backups.
- Narrative Pacing: The storyline exhibits minimal development for 160 of its 164-minute running time, leaving major plot points under-developed.
Inconsistent Performances and Unintended Comedy
The film endows its blind protagonist with unrealistic capabilities, ranging from mastering multiple instruments to accurately identifying perpetrators through scent.
Akshay Kumar appears as Parshuram, a convict seeking vengeance. His performance leans heavily into exaggerated theatricality, lacking the iconic chemistry seen in earlier collaborations with Saif Ali Khan. Boman Irani’s exposition-heavy scene delivers major plot reveals abruptly against overly stylized backdrops.
| Actor | Role / Character | Key Performance Trait |
| Saif Ali Khan | Shyam Rane (Maintenance Manager) | Disconnected, overly stylish outfit |
| Akshay Kumar | Parshuram (Seeking Revenge) | Highly exaggerated, theatrical acting |
| Boman Irani | Convict / Key Informant | Abrupt narrative exposition |
| Sharib Hashmi | Police Inspector | Shift from comedy to severe brutality |
Supporting roles provided by Priyadarshan regulars, including Asrani and Rajpal Yadav, fail to land effective humor. Additional subplots involving police conduct, awkward societal interventions, and sudden costume shifts during key sequences contribute to an tone that reads as unintended comedy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the main plot of the movie Haiwaan?
Haiwaan follows Shyam Rane, a blind maintenance manager in a Mumbai residential building, who finds himself entangled in a dangerous plot involving a convicted criminal named Parshuram who is seeking revenge against specific targets.
Q2: Is Haiwaan an official remake of a South Indian movie?
Yes, Haiwaan is the official Hindi remake of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam, which originally starred Mohanlal in the lead role of the blind protagonist.
Q3: How are the performances of Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar in Haiwaan?
Saif Ali Khan delivers a muted, unengaged performance that contrasts with his stylish wardrobe, while Akshay Kumar gives an exaggerated, highly theatrical performance that lacks subtlety.
Q4: Who directed Haiwaan and who else is in the supporting cast?
The film is directed by Priyadarshan. The supporting cast features Boman Irani, Sharib Hashmi, Rajpal Yadav, Asrani, Rajesh Sharma, and Suchitra Pillai.
Q5: Is Haiwaan worth watching in theaters?
Haiwaan struggles with significant plot holes, an excessively long runtime, poor logic, and mismatched performances, making it a difficult watch for audiences seeking a genuine thrill.
Conclusion
Haiwaan fails to capture the suspense or coherence of its source material. Burdened by illogical narrative choices, excessive runtime, and uneven lead performances, the film ultimately turns a intended thriller into a series of awkward storytelling missteps.