New Delhi: In his career spanning three decades, Akshay Kumar has worked in nearly 150 films. But he has rarely played a character as dark as the one he portrays in Priyadarshan’s upcoming film Haiwaan. In the trailer, released on Tuesday, Kumar’s character is shown as a ruthless man willing to kill anyone who comes in his way. Saif Ali Khan, on the other hand, is a blind man.
The film marks the reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after Tashan, which also starred Kareena Kapoor Khan and Anil Kapoor. The 2008 film showed a cross-country chase after Saif and Kareena’s characters steal Rs 25 crore, with Akshay’s character pursuing them across the country.
For Haiwaan, Priyadarshan has also roped in Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Saiyami Kher, while Mohanlal is set to make a cameo. The film is an adaptation of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam film Oppam, in which Mohanlal played the lead role. In Haiwaan, Saif takes on Mohanlal’s role, while Akshay plays the character portrayed by P Samuthirakani in the original. Oppam became one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of 2016.
There are several films in which Akshay has played morally grey and negative characters before, but not as villainous as in Haiwaan.
Ajnabee (2001)
In the Abbas-Mustan-thriller, Kumar played an antagonist opposite Bobby Deol, with his character becoming increasingly threatening to his wife, played by Bipasha Basu. Kumar’s character murders his own wife and frames Bobby Deol.
Khiladi 420 (2000)
Khiladi 420 allowed Akshay to experiment with a dual role, playing both a positive character and a more sinister one. The darker character got involved in deception, crime, and manipulation, giving Kumar an opportunity to take a break from the heroic persona associated with his earlier Khiladi films.
Aitraaz (2004)
In Aitraaz, Akshay played Raj Malhotra, a successful businessman who is accused of sexual harassment by his former lover, played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas. While Kumar’s character was not a villain, the film placed him in a morally complicated thriller where power, manipulation, and reputation drive the story.
Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Dobaara! (2013)
Akshay played Shoaib Khan, a powerful underworld don, who is charismatic, but ruthless and violent. He tries to extend his underworld empire to the Middle East, and kills his own mentor in the process.
2.0 (2018)
Akshay became Dr Richard, a scientist who transforms into the powerful antagonist Pakshirajan after becoming consumed by his anger over the damage caused to birds by mobile-phone radiation.
Haiwaan will be released on 11 September.
(Edited by Aamaan Alam Khan)