Souvik Saha
Good performances, uneven storytelling
Haiwaan has enough interesting ingredients to work as a thriller, but the film is held back by a stretched screenplay, inconsistent tonal shifts and a climax that doesn’t deliver the impact expected from the setup.
Haiwaan brings together two actors who have shared screen space before but whose reunion remains one of the film’s biggest attractions. Add Priyadarshan to the equation, along with a dark revenge-driven thriller and a visually impaired protagonist, and the expectations are naturally high.
The film does have its moments. There are stretches where the suspense works, the action creates some tension and the performances keep the narrative moving. But the biggest problem is that the film never maintains that momentum for long enough.
A Strong Premise That Needed A Tighter Screenplay
Saif Ali Khan plays Shyam Rane, a visually impaired caretaker whose life takes a dramatic turn after retired Judge Pradhan, played by Boman Irani, is murdered.
The murder brings Shyam into the path of Parshuram, played by Akshay Kumar, a dangerous man driven by revenge. As the story progresses, Shyam finds himself caught between the police investigation and Parshuram’s pursuit of Nandini.
The basic premise is intriguing, but the screenplay keeps introducing subplots and secondary characters, often diluting the central conflict. The film could have benefited considerably from a sharper and more focused narrative.
First Half: Too Much Setup, Not Enough Tension
The first half takes its time establishing Shyam, Pradhan and the surrounding characters. Some of this groundwork is useful, but the pacing often feels slower than necessary.
Instead of constantly building suspense, the film occasionally moves into side tracks involving supporting characters. These portions aren’t always badly executed, but they take attention away from the central thriller.
The film has enough material for a gripping thriller, but the first half needed tighter editing and a stronger sense of urgency.
Second Half: Better Energy, But Not Consistently
Once the story moves deeper into the investigation and the conflict between Shyam and Parshuram becomes clearer, Haiwaan becomes more engaging.
The action sequences provide some much-needed energy, while the cat-and-mouse element between the two characters gives the film a stronger pulse.
However, the improvement isn’t sustained throughout the entire second half. Some developments feel predictable, and the film again loses momentum before reaching its final confrontation.
Saif Ali Khan Is The Standout
Saif Ali Khan is arguably the strongest element of Haiwaan. His portrayal of Shyam requires physical restraint as well as emotional control, and the actor brings conviction to the character.
His body language, reactions and action portions are among the film’s more effective aspects. Even when the screenplay becomes predictable, Saif manages to keep Shyam interesting.
A Different Shade, But The Character Needed More
Akshay Kumar gets to explore a darker space as Parshuram, and his screen presence is undeniably strong.
He brings menace, attitude and physicality to the role, particularly during the action sequences. His chemistry with Rajpal Yadav also provides a few lighter moments.
The problem is largely in the writing. The character could have been far more intimidating if the screenplay had explored his motivations and emotional background with greater depth.
Supporting Cast
Dependable and convincing as Judge Pradhan.
Effective despite limited material.
Adds some much-needed lighter moments.
Priyadarshan Finds The Right Moments, But Not The Right Balance
Priyadarshan knows how to create atmospheric sequences, and the film occasionally benefits from his ability to mix tension with lighter moments.
But Haiwaan attempts to balance revenge, crime, action, emotion and comedy, and these tonal shifts don’t always blend naturally.
The result is a film that sometimes feels like several different movies competing for space within the same runtime.
Action & Thrill
The action sequences are among the portions that give Haiwaan some momentum. The conflict between Shyam and Parshuram creates a few genuinely engaging moments.
However, the thriller component isn’t consistently strong enough to sustain suspense throughout the lengthy runtime. Some situations also require viewers to suspend disbelief considerably.
Music & Background Score
The music doesn’t leave a major impact, while the background score works better in selected tense sequences. Some songs also interrupt the narrative flow rather than enhancing it.
The Biggest Missed Opportunity
A thriller of this nature needs a climax that brings together its mystery, characters and emotional stakes. Unfortunately, the final stretch doesn’t completely deliver that payoff.
After building anticipation around Shyam and Parshuram, the resolution feels less impactful than it should have been. This ultimately leaves the film feeling more average than thrilling.
Haiwaan: What Works & What Doesn’t
✓ What Works
- Saif Ali Khan’s performance
- Akshay Kumar’s darker avatar
- Strong supporting performances
- A few effective action sequences
- Interesting central premise
✕ What Doesn’t Work
- Uneven screenplay
- Slow and stretched portions
- Too many subplots
- Inconsistent tonal balance
- Underwhelming climax
Worth Watching For The Performances, Not The Thriller
Haiwaan isn’t a complete failure. It has a promising premise, two dependable lead performances and flashes of effective thriller filmmaking. But the film needed a tighter screenplay, stronger character development and a more satisfying climax to truly work.
