Cinema VinesDirector Priyadarshan has revealed that the upcoming action‑thriller Haiwaan will bring together two of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, in a genre that marks a departure from the comedy‑heavy partnership the director has been known for. The film, which is the ninth collaboration between Priyadarshan and Kumar, will see the actor step outside his usual comedic persona and tackle a “psycho” role that he has never played before.
When asked why he chose Akshay for the project, Priyadarshan said that Kumar has proven himself capable of handling a wide range of characters, citing recent successes such as Padman and Rustom. He added that Kumar himself had insisted on taking the challenging part, saying, “I have never played a psycho. I’m serious about it.” The director admitted that he had not originally planned to cast Kumar, but the actor’s enthusiasm convinced him to move forward.
Priyadarshan also highlighted the rarity of two high‑profile leads sharing the screen in today’s industry. He contrasted the dynamic of the past, when stars like Govinda, Ajay Devgn and Akshaye Khanna could work together without ego clashes, with the current generation’s insecurity. According to the veteran filmmaker, “The new generation is very insecure. They always want to know what the other person is doing. They don’t want to know what they are doing.”
Speaking about the long‑standing partnership with Kumar, the director said it is built on mutual trust. “He never questions me. He will just come to the shot and ask what you want me to do and just do it. I am also very careful about what I am doing with him. I think this is what has worked for both of us. He has got a blind belief in me, and it gives me the responsibility that I should not let him down,” he explained.
For Priyadarshan, Haiwaan represents an opportunity to break the comedy label that has become synonymous with his name. He noted that while he began his career with serious films such as Viraasat (1997), the success of Hera Pheri (2000) cemented his reputation as a comedy director. “But at the same time, fortunately, I have been making serious movies too in the South. Something unusual is always attractive, so I thought, this time let me try something different,” he said. He added that the film will balance action with moments of levity and emotional depth, making it suitable for family viewing.
