Mohanlal joins Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in Haiwaan, Priyadarshan’s Hindi remake of Oppam

Filmmaker Priyadarshan has started work on his next Hindi project Haiwaan, which brings Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan back together on screen. The film, a remake of his 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, went on floors in Kochi on Saturday.

Speaking to OnManorama during the shoot, Priyadarshan confirmed that Malayalam star Mohanlal, who played the lead in the original, will also appear in a cameo role in Haiwaan. “His character will definitely be a surprise to the audience,” the director said.

He explained that while the new film takes its base from Oppam, the dialogues and screenplay have been significantly reworked. Asked about his decision to cast Akshay once again, Priyadarshan responded, “It’s all about comfort. For me, he is Bollywood’s Mohanlal.”

The camaraderie between Akshay and Saif has already generated interest among fans. The two actors, remembered for their pairing in Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994) and later Tashan (2008), are reuniting after more than a decade. To mark the start of filming, Akshay shared a short video on social media.

In the clip, he is seen holding the clapboard while Saif and Priyadarshan exchange jokes on set. Akshay sported a T-shirt with the word “Saint” written across it, prompting the filmmaker to quip that Saif should have been the one wearing it, while Akshay should be the one holding the Haiwaan slate.

Akshay captioned the video with a line hinting at the film’s theme: “Hum sab hi hain thode se shaitaan… Koi upar se Saint, koi andar se Haiwaan.”

Along with Akshay and Saif, the film also features Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami Kher in key roles. Produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films, Haiwaan will be shot across multiple locations, starting with Kochi before moving to Vagamon, Ooty, and Mumbai.

As the project unfolds, much of the attention will be on how Priyadarshan adapts a story deeply rooted in Malayalam cinema for a wider Hindi audience, while also balancing nostalgia with new creative choices.