Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan recently shared a captivating picture from the sets of his upcoming film, "Haiwaan," featuring himself alongside Bollywood star Saif Ali Khan and Malayalam cinema icon Mohanlal. The photo, posted on his Instagram account on November 15, 2025, has created a buzz among fans and industry insiders alike.
Priyadarshan, known for his blockbuster comedies and critically acclaimed dramas, captioned the image with a reflective message: "Look at life and the way it turns... Here I am, on the shooting sets of HAIWAN, working with the son of one of my biggest cricket heroes and my favourite film icon. Truly, God is kind". He was referring to Saif Ali Khan, whose father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, was a legendary Indian cricket captain, and Mohanlal, whom Priyadarshan considers his favorite actor.
"Haiwaan" is a Hindi remake of Priyadarshan's own 2016 Malayalam thriller, "Oppam," which starred Mohanlal in the lead role. In the original film, Mohanlal played Jayaraman, a blind man with heightened senses who witnesses a murder. Saif Ali Khan steps into this role for the Hindi adaptation. The recently shared image shows both actors sporting sunglasses and holding walking sticks, confirming their characters' visual impairment. Priyadarshan has revealed that Mohanlal will appear in a cameo in "Haiwaan".
The film also stars Akshay Kumar, who reunites with Saif Ali Khan after 17 years. Their last film together was "Tashan" in 2008. Akshay Kumar is reportedly playing the antagonist, a role inspired by Samuthirakani's character in "Oppam". Other cast members include Saiyami Kher, Shreya Pilgaonkar, and the late Asrani.
Priyadarshan has been filming "Haiwaan" across various locations in Mumbai, including Churchgate and Bandra-Kurla Complex. He described shooting on Mumbai roads as challenging due to the dense population. An ambitious action sequence, involving numerous cars and junior artists, was filmed near Churchgate railway station under the choreography of action director Stunt Silva.
"Haiwaan" is produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films, with Venkat K Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn as co-producers. The makers are planning a grand release in 2026.
Priyadarshan has had a busy and rewarding year, completing both "Bhooth Bangla" and "Haiwaan". He expressed his hope to win a fourth National Award for his work. The director has stated that the story is what excites him most when making a movie, and he doesn't chase stars but rather focuses on casting the right actors for the script.
The collaboration of Priyadarshan, Mohanlal, Saif Ali Khan, and Akshay Kumar has generated considerable excitement, with fans eagerly awaiting the release of "Haiwaan" in 2026.
