Haiwaan Review: Saif Ali Khan And Akshay Kumar Shine In This Faithful Remake Of Mohanlal Starrer Oppam

Haiwaan is a Hindi remake of the 2016 Malayalam film Oppam, both directed by Priyadarshan. The movie features Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar in lead roles. The story follows a blind maintenance manager, Shyam (Saif), who becomes a witness to a murder committed by the building's judge, Pradhan (Boman Irani). As Shyam investigates the case, he must navigate the complexities of the investigation and stay one step ahead of the murderer.

Priyadarshan, known for his Malayalam films like Hera Pheri and Hungama, has directed the Hindi adaptation. The screenplay, penned by Rohan Shankar, Abilash Nair, and Priyadarshan, is a scene-to-scene remake of Oppam with minimal changes. The production value in the Hindi remake is improved, and Akshay Kumar's antagonist is a standout character.

Saif Ali Khan delivers a fantastic performance as the blind protagonist, Shyam, capturing the mannerisms of a visually impaired individual with great precision. His portrayal is a highlight of the film and arguably better than Mohanlal's performance in Oppam. Akshay Kumar also shines as the psychotic antagonist, bringing the perfect villainous aura to the screen. Supporting actors Asrani, Rajpal Yadav, Sharib Hashmi, and Boman Irani deliver impressive performances, with Sharib Hashmi stealing the show in his role.

The background score by Ronnie Raphael significantly enhances the movie, while Pritam's compositions, except for "Rangiyara," fail to make a significant impact. Overall, Haiwaan is a satisfactory watch, not groundbreaking but not disappointing either. Fans of Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar will find the film enjoyable, while those who have seen Oppam may feel the remake offers little new. It remains a treat for fans of the original film, and Akkians will appreciate the performance and entertainment value.