‘Haiwaan’ promises to show Akshay Kumar in one of his darkest roles in recent years, but the actor was hardly a part of the film. filmmaker Priyadarshan has now revealed that Akshay Kumar was not his original choice to play the antagonist. Bobby Deol was his first choice for the antagonist, while Akshaye Khanna i Suniel Shetty were also considered before the ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ actor unexpectedly entered the project. The director also shared why the upcoming film marks a significant departure from his recent string of comedy entertainers.
Bobby Deol was Priyadarshan’s first choice for ‘Haiwaan’
Speaking to Midday, Priyadarshan revealed that Bobby Deol was the first actor he approached to play the opposite antagonist. Saif Ali Khan. Recalling the casting process, the filmmaker said, “When I narrated the film to Saif first, he asked me who would play the antagonist. I approached Bobby Deol, who was not happy with his role, but I can’t blame him for that. I thought of Akshaye Khanna and told him that I want to narrate a story for him. He invited me to meet him. I thought if he refused, it would go to Suniel Shetty.”The director explained that several actors were considered before the role ended up with Akshay Kumar.
How Akshay Kumar landed the role in ‘Haiwaan’
According to Priyadarshan, the casting took an unexpected turn while working with Akshay Kumar in ‘Bhooth Bangla’. Before meeting Akshaye Khanna, the filmmaker casually mentioned ‘Haiwaan’ to Akshay, who immediately showed interest in playing the antagonist.Priyadarshan recalled, “[Before I met Akshaye]I mentioned the film to Akshay casually while shooting ‘Bhooth Bangla’. After I narrated the story to him, he said, ‘Why can’t I make the film?'”Initially, the director had not envisioned Akshay in the role as it contrasted sharply with the actor’s recent screen image.He explained, “Akshay loved the character. While we were shooting, Saif told me, ‘By playing this role against me, Akshay has given me the best gift.’
Priyadarshan wanted to break Akshay’s recent image
In the same interview, Priyadarshan admitted that he had not originally envisioned Akshay Kumar as the film’s villain because audiences have recently associated the superstar with lighter, comedy-driven roles. However, Akshay’s enthusiasm to portray a darker character convinced the filmmaker that it was the right choice. The role marks a significant change for the actor, who will be seen in the avatar of a tough antagonist opposite Saif Ali Khan.
‘Haiwaan’ is not a comedy, clarifies Priyadarshan
Despite Priyadarshan’s reputation for directing blockbuster comedies, the filmmaker clarified that Haiwaan belongs to a completely different genre.He said, “Some people have assumed that Haiwaan is a comedy; it’s not. It’s a cat-and-mouse game between the hunter and the hunted. I’m back in an action thriller after 16 years, and it’s one of the classiest films I’ve ever done.”The director believes that the film will show a new side of his filmmaking while delivering an intense action thriller experience.
About ‘Haiwaan’
‘Haiwaan’ stars Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in the lead roles and reunites Priyadarshan with the two actors. The first posters unveiled recently featured the duo in intense and tough avatars, hinting at a high-stakes battle between the protagonist and the antagonist.Unlike Priyadarshan’s recent comedy outings, ‘Haiwaan’ is positioned as a slick action thriller built around a tense cat-and-mouse chase between the hunter and the hunted. The film is expected to feature Akshay Kumar in one of his most unconventional roles as the menacing antagonist, while Saif Ali Khan takes the opposite lead. With its darker tone and action-driven narrative, Haiwaan marks Priyadarshan’s return to the thriller genre after nearly 16 years.