Filmmaker Priyadarshan has revealed that Akshay Kumar was not his original choice to play the antagonist in Haiwaan. According to the director, Bobby Deol and later Akshaye Khanna were considered for the role before Kumar came on board.

Speaking to Mid-day, Priyadarshan said he first narrated the script to Saif Ali Khan, who then asked him who would be cast as the villain.

"I approached Bobby Deol, who wasn't happy with his role, but I cannot blame him for that," the filmmaker said.

After Bobby declined, Priyadarshan planned to narrate the script to Akshaye Khanna. "I told Akshaye I wanted to narrate a story to him and he invited me over. I had even thought that if he refused, I would approach Suniel Shetty," he added.

However, things took a different turn while he was shooting Bhooth Bangla with Akshay Kumar. According to Priyadarshan, he casually mentioned the film to Kumar, who immediately showed interest in playing the antagonist. "Akshay told me, 'Why can't I do the movie?'" the filmmaker recalled.

The director admitted he had not initially considered Kumar for the part because it was unlike the actor's recent on-screen image. "I thought the role was completely against his current image of a humorous, happy-go-lucky man. But Akshay loved the character," he said.

Priyadarshan also shared that Saif Ali Khan appreciated Kumar's decision to take on the role. "While we were shooting, Saif told me, 'By doing this role against me, Akshay has given me the best gift,'" he said.

The filmmaker further clarified that Haiwaan is not a comedy, despite assumptions surrounding the project. Describing it as an action thriller, he said the film revolves around a "cat-and-mouse game between the hunter and the hunted". He added that the film marks his return to the action-thriller genre after 16 years.

Last week, the makers unveiled the first look of Haiwaan, featuring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in intense avatars. The film reunites the two actors on screen after Tashan (2008).

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Published By:

shweta keshri

Published On:

Jul 21, 2026 17:13 IST