Actor Saif Ali Khan, in a recent interview, opened up about his experience of working in the upcoming Priyadarshan directorial Haiwaan.

He said that agreeing to do a film has never been about a single reason. Sometimes it’s the director, sometimes the complexity of the role and sometimes it’s the simplest question of all: am I going to have a good time?

He admitted that reality doesn’t always match intention. Not every project becomes what it promises. Which is why his experience working with Priyadarshan on Haiwaan stands out so sharply. Talking about it in an interview recently, he said, "I shot with Priyadarshan and I felt amazing, because there was something new to perform every day. There was something in the scene. You could feel it — this is a Priyadarshan film.”

“Haiwaan is the film with Akshay Kumar playing a scary bad guy and me playing a visually impaired music teacher, who is the only person who can save this little girl. So, it’s a David–Goliath story. There’s action, there’s drama, but every day was something amazing to perform. That feeling of completeness was incredible,” he added.

For the uninitiated, Haiwaan is inspired by Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam (2016), though with significant changes to both dialogue and screenplay, as told by the filmmaker. The original film featured Mohanlal as a visually impaired man who becomes the unlikely protector of a judge’s daughter. Recently, Priyadarshan confirmed that Mohanlal will appear in a cameo role in the film.

The film brings together the trio of Akshay, Saif, and Priyadarshan for the first time and also reunites Akshay and Saif on screen after 17 years since their last outing in Tashan (2008). The film also features Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar. The makers are planning a 2026 release for the film.