Source pinkvilla
The much-anticipated big-screen reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in Priyadarshan’s crime thriller Haiwaan has arrived with a whimper rather than a bang. The film registered a severely muted start at the ticket counters, grossing an estimated ₹2.25 to ₹2.50 crore nett across India on its opening Friday, according to early trade estimates.
Despite bringing together two seasoned A-list stars who previously shared screen space in hits like Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Yeh Dillagi, Haiwaan struggled to draw substantial footfalls right from the morning shows. The figures place the film among the slowest starts for major Bollywood titles this year, hovering in the company of low openers like Selfiee, Mission Raniganj, and Sarfira.
Low Pre-Release Buzz and Stiff Competition
Industry trackers attribute the tepid response to minimal promotional momentum and a thriller premise that failed to ignite pre-release curiosity among mass audiences. An adaptation of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam, the narrative pits Saif Ali Khan as a visually impaired protagonist against Akshay Kumar in a darker, menacing antagonist role.
While the film garnered notice for the duo’s tonal departure from their classic banter, the advance bookings reflected little enthusiasm, leaving the title heavily reliant on walk-in audiences—an uphill battle for mid-budget crime dramas in current theatrical conditions. Adding to its woes is sustained competition in multiplexes from holdover releases and regional holdouts eating into screen share.
Weekend Trajectory Crucial
With opening-day collections settling around the ₹2.50 crore mark, all eyes are now on Saturday and Sunday. A dramatic turnaround through word-of-mouth will be necessary if Haiwaan hopes to salvage its theatrical run and cross double digits over its opening weekend.
