Haiwaan Review Rating (Non-Spoiler): Akshay-Saif’s Strong Performances Impress, But Dull First Half Drags Film Down | Haiwaan Film Review Out | Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan Film Haiwaan Rating Out Of 5 | Is Haiwaan Worth The Wait? Check Filmibeat Review Here | Who Is The Star Performer In Haiwaan?

Haiwaan Movie Review And Rating: Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan are back together on the big screen after Tashan (2008), and this time, the two actors are on opposite sides of a thrilling murder mystery. Directed by Priyadarshan, Haiwaan is reportedly a remake of the filmmaker’s 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam. The film tries to blend suspense, crime, action and emotion into one story.

Filmibeat Assistant Editor watched the press show of Haiwaan and the film does have an interesting premise. Here’s the detailed review.

HAIWAAN PLOT REVIEW

Haiwaan follows Shyam, played by Saif Ali Khan, who works as a blind maintenance manager at a high-rise society in Mumbai. His routine life takes a shocking turn when retired Judge Pradhan is murdered in his flat. Shyam soon finds himself connected to the case and becomes a suspect.

His situation becomes more complicated when he decides to protect Nandini, who is revealed to be Pradhan’s secret daughter. But Nandini is not safe, as Parshuram, played by Akshay Kumar, is also searching for her. Parshuram is a ruthless killer with a twisted connection to Pradhan. As Shyam tries to keep Nandini safe, he slowly gets closer to the truth. He also discovers a shocking secret about her, adding another layer to the murder mystery.

The film starts on an average note and spends a major part of its first half establishing the characters and storyline. Sadly, there isn’t much in the first half that creates genuine excitement. The pace feels slow, and the thriller elements don’t get enough space to build the required tension.

The second half starts on a better note. However, it is the final 30-40 minutes that really bring some life into the film. The last chase involving Shyam and Parshuram is among the more intriguing portions and finally gives the audience the thriller moments they have been waiting for.

HAIWAAN PERFORMANCE REVIEW: WHO IS THE STAR PERFORMER?

The performances are easily among the better parts of Haiwaan. Akshay Kumar does well as Parshuram and brings the required menace to his character. But Saif Ali Khan is the one who takes the cake. As Shyam, the actor gets a more challenging role and handles the character’s physicality and vulnerability well. His performance as a blind man is convincing, and he manages to keep the audience invested even when the screenplay slows down. For me, Saif is the star performer of Haiwaan.

Shriya Pilgaonkar also makes her presence felt in the film. Saiyami Kher, despite being a talented actress, does not get a particularly meaty character, but she performs her scenes well. Boman Irani too has limited material to work with, yet delivers a dependable performance.

Sharib Hashmi also made his mark as the police officer, while the child artiste playing Nandini adds some innocence to the otherwise dark story. Overall, the cast does its job well, but the screenplay does not give every performer enough material to shine.

HAIWAAN OVERALL VERDICT: IS IT WORTH-WATCHING?

Haiwaan has a promising thriller setup and two capable actors at its centre. The combination of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan is definitely one of the film’s biggest attractions, while Priyadarshan brings his experience to the story.

However, the film takes too long to get going. The first half is dull and fails to create the required suspense. The second half is comparatively better, with the final 30-40 minutes offering some genuinely intriguing moments.

If you are a fan of Akshay, Saif or Priyadarshan, Haiwaan can be given a shot. But as a thriller, it does not fully live up to its potential. Overall, Haiwaan is a strictly one-time watch.