Haiwaan, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, has received mixed reactions from viewers on X following its theatrical release. While many social media users have praised the lead actors and their contrasting performances, others have criticised the film's lengthy runtime and felt that the second half could have been more tightly edited.
One viewer awarded the Priyadarshan-directed thriller 3.5 stars and highlighted Akshay Kumar's portrayal of a dark and unpredictable character. The viewer described Akshay as menacing and praised Saif Ali Khan for delivering a restrained performance as the film's blind protagonist.
Another viewer was less impressed, giving the movie two stars and calling it a case of wasted potential. The post criticised the slow screenplay, described the story as average and argued that both Akshay and Saif could have been utilised more effectively.
Despite those concerns, the same viewer acknowledged that Priyadarshan's cat-and-mouse approach works in parts of the film. The 2-hour-42-minute runtime and the pacing of the second half were among the main complaints, although the movie was still described as an old-school thriller supported by two strong performances.
The reunion between Akshay and Saif has also become a major talking point. The two actors are returning to the screen together after 18 years, and several viewers felt that the film makes effective use of their contrasting screen personalities rather than relying only on nostalgia.
One social media reaction summed up their dynamic by pointing out that one character is unpredictable while the other remains controlled, creating an engaging contrast between the two. Another viewer gave the film four stars and called it a gripping psychological thriller, praising the performances, visuals and background score.
Priyadarshan's direction also received appreciation from some viewers, particularly for maintaining tension through the latter part of the film and building towards a surprise at the end. However, the response was not uniformly positive.
Some viewers suggested that audiences who have already watched the Hindi version of the original Oppam may not need to watch Haiwaan. Others even suggested that Priyadarshan should instead remake the Malayalam comedy Two Countries with Akshay Kumar.
Haiwaan marks the return of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan as an onscreen pair nearly two decades after their earlier collaborations in films such as Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Yeh Dillagi, Keemat and Tu Chor Main Sipahi.
Directed by Priyadarshan, the film places the two actors on opposite sides of its central conflict. Akshay plays the antagonist, while Saif portrays a blind protagonist. Boman Irani, Sharib Hashmi, Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar also feature in key roles. The film is backed by KVN Productions and Thespian Films.
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