Akshay Kumar Haiwaan Emerged As Biggest Theatrical Disaster

Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan’s Haiwaan has ended its theatrical run with a severely disappointing box office performance. Directed by Priyadarshan, the crime thriller opened to around ₹3 crore net in India and finished with ₹9+ crore net with share of 6-7 crores, despite its major star cast and reunion after nearly two decades.

Haiwaan is the Hindi adaptation of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, starring Mohanlal. The film also features Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher and others. After a weak opening and largely mixed to negative audience response, the film collected only around ₹7.35 crore during its opening weekend, with momentum collapsing rapidly thereafter.

Trade estimates place Haiwaan’s production cost around ₹120 crore, although some reports have cited lower figures. Before release, approximately ₹80 crore was reportedly recovered through satellite, digital and music rights. With worldwide theatrical gross estimated at roughly ₹15 crore, total reported recovery stands near ₹95 crore, leaving a substantial gap against production cost.

The film’s poor theatrical outcome has prompted Priyadarshan to reassess serious collaborations with Akshay, saying their successful partnership has largely been in comedy. Haiwaan’s final numbers underline the challenge faced by star driven films when content and audience word of mouth fail to connect, making it one of Akshay’s most severe recent theatrical setbacks.

- Veda