Saiyami Kher has offered a surprisingly warm description of what went on behind the scenes of Haiwaan. Despite the film being a dark thriller, the actor says the atmosphere during filming felt far removed from the intensity of the story. For Kher, working alongside Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan and director Priyadarshan turned the shoot into an experience that felt more like a gathering of friends than a conventional film set.
“It did not feel like a film set. In fact, it felt like a picnic where we were all out having fun. Somewhere in the middle of that, a film was made,” Kher says in an exclusive conversation with Variety India. The comment offers an interesting contrast to the serious material expected from the film, particularly because Haiwaan is a thriller inspired by Priyadarshan’s own Malayalam film Oppam.
The Hindi adaptation has also gone through changes from the original, with Priyadarshan previously explaining that the screenplay and dialogues were altered rather than simply reproducing Oppam in Hindi.
Priyadarshan Wanted Things Done Quickly
One of the biggest reasons Kher remembers the shoot so fondly is the working style of Priyadarshan. The filmmaker, who has directed movies across both Malayalam and Hindi cinema, apparently brought a very clear idea of what he wanted to the set, allowing scenes to be completed without repeatedly shooting the same material.
“He knows exactly what he wants. There’s such clarity that he rarely asks for more than one take. I’m used to doing three takes, but with him, scenes were often wrapped up in one,” Kher says.
For an actor, that kind of environment can be quite different from productions where scenes are repeatedly adjusted through multiple takes. Kher says Priyadarshan’s clarity meant the cast could concentrate on delivering the material instead of spending long stretches repeating performances.
It also helps explain why she remembers the production as being relaxed despite the film itself being a thriller. The efficiency of the shoot appears to have left more room for the cast to interact between scenes, turning the downtime into part of the experience.
That contrast could become particularly interesting once audiences see the finished film. The relaxed atmosphere behind the camera clearly did not prevent the filmmakers from creating a darker story in front of it.
Akshay Kumar Kept Everyone Entertained
Kher says Akshay Kumar played a major role in making sure there was rarely a quiet moment on set. According to her, the actor regularly found some activity to keep the cast occupied between takes, turning even the waiting periods into opportunities for fun.
“I had a ball with Akshay Kumar. He always has to be playing some sport on set. We were constantly playing cricket, catch, card tricks or bottle flips… there was always something happening,” she recalls.
Kher also played cricket with both Akshay and Saif during the shoot. That detail gives another glimpse into the atmosphere she experienced while making Haiwaan, especially considering the scale of the cast and the intensity expected from the film’s story.
The off-screen dynamic is particularly interesting because Akshay and Saif are returning to the screen together after a long gap. Their previous collaborations included films such as Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Yeh Dillagi, Aarzoo, Tu Chor Main Sipahi and Keemat, before they last appeared together in Tashan in 2008.
This time, however, the reunion is taking place in a much darker setting. Saif has described the new film as a departure from the comedy-driven chemistry associated with some of their earlier collaborations, while Akshay is playing a negative character.
Saiyami Kher Says Saif Will Surprise
For Kher, Haiwaan also represents her first film with Saif Ali Khan, although their professional connection goes back much further. She had worked with the actor on an advertisement around a decade ago, making their reunion on a full-length film feel like a delayed continuation of that earlier association.
Kher says the experience made her feel that “life now seems to have come full circle.” She was also struck by how little Saif appeared to have changed over the years.
“He looks the same as he did 10 to 12 years ago. Nothing has changed,” she says.
Her praise does not stop with his appearance. Kher calls Saif one of the funniest people she has met and points out that his humour does not seem forced.
“The best part is, he isn’t trying to be funny. Also, he is just so well read. It is fun having a conversation with him.”
But it is Saif’s performance that Kher believes could surprise audiences most. Without revealing details that could spoil the film, she suggests that his work in Haiwaan is something viewers should experience for themselves.
That tease becomes more intriguing because Saif is playing a very different character from the roles audiences may associate with his earlier collaborations with Akshay. Reports about the film have established that Saif plays the central character, while Akshay takes on the antagonist, creating a thriller built around their contrasting performances.
Haiwaan Changes More Than Oppam
Haiwaan is inspired by Oppam, Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam thriller starring Mohanlal. The original followed a visually impaired man who becomes involved in protecting a judge’s daughter from a dangerous threat, but Priyadarshan has made it clear that the Hindi version is not simply a scene-for-scene remake. He has previously said that the screenplay and dialogues have undergone significant changes.
The connection to Oppam is still important because Priyadarshan is returning to his own thriller for the Hindi adaptation. Mohanlal is also expected to appear in a cameo, with the filmmaker previously teasing that his character will be a surprise for audiences.
The film’s release date is now locked for September 11, 2026. The announcement was made by KVN Productions in June, positioning the movie as a major theatrical release built around the long-awaited reunion of Akshay and Saif.
For Saiyami, the film appears to have been memorable for reasons that go beyond the finished product. She found herself working with a director whose shooting process was unusually efficient, an actor like Akshay who turned breaks into sporting sessions and a longtime screen star like Saif whose performance she believes will catch audiences off guard.
That combination gives Haiwaan an unusual behind-the-scenes story. The movie may be a dark thriller when it reaches theatres, but according to Kher, the people making it were having considerably more fun than the title might suggest.
With Akshay and Saif returning together after 18 years, Priyadarshan revisiting the world of Oppam in a substantially reworked Hindi version and Kher teasing a performance from Saif that audiences should wait to discover, Haiwaan has several reasons to attract attention before its September release. The real test will be whether all that off-screen chemistry and Priyadarshan’s fast-paced filmmaking translate into the tense theatrical thriller the film is promising.
Haiwaan Q&A
What did Saiyami Kher say about the Haiwaan set?
Saiyami Kher described the atmosphere as being less like a traditional film set and more like “one big picnic.” She said the cast spent their time having fun between making the film.
What did Saiyami Kher say about Priyadarshan’s working style?
Kher praised Priyadarshan for his clarity and said he rarely needed more than one take. She said scenes that normally might require several takes were often completed in one.
What did Akshay Kumar do between Haiwaan takes?
According to Kher, Akshay regularly played sports and games on set. She recalled playing cricket, catch, card tricks and bottle flips during breaks, with Saif also joining her for cricket.
Why is Haiwaan special for Saiyami Kher and Saif Ali Khan?
Kher had previously worked with Saif on an advertisement around 10 to 12 years ago. She says appearing alongside him in Haiwaan made her feel that “life now seems to have come full circle.”
Will Saif Ali Khan surprise audiences in Haiwaan?
Kher believes he will. She praised his performance without revealing details and suggested that audiences should wait to see what he brings to the film.
When will Haiwaan release?
Haiwaan is scheduled to release worldwide in theatres on September 11, 2026. The film stars Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar and is directed by Priyadarshan.
