Haiwaan: Director Priyadarshan offers glimpse of Mohanlal’s surprise cameo in Oppam remake
Haiwaan is the Hindi remake of the Malayalam film Oppam, in which Mohanlal played the lead, as a visually-impaired person. The Malayalam superstar has a brief role in the remake too
Last Updated: 10.03 PM, Nov 14, 2025
Filmmaker Priyadarshan, who has made a career in Bollywood out of remaking popular Malayalam films, including his own, is currently in the midst of adapting his 2016 movie Oppam. Called Haiwaan, the film has Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar in the lead, but what’s even more interesting is that Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who was the leading man of the original, has a surprise cameo. Priyadarshan had revealed this a while ago, but earlier on November 14, he took to social media to give fans a glimpse of what Mohanlal is up to in Haiwan.
Mohanlal to play Saif's close confidante
Although Priyadarshan had chosen to not elaborate about Mohanlal’s role, going by the image, which also features Saif Ali Khan, it seems that the Malayalam star plays a confidante to Saif, with both men sporting black glasses and white canes that visually-impaired people carry. Fans who have seen the original, of course, will have de ja vu, seeing Mohanlal in that look.
Also read: Haiwaan final leg begins! Akshay Kumar says villain role 'pushed, shaped, and surprised' him
In his post, Priyadarshan wrote, “Look at life and the way it turns… Here I am, on the shooting sets of HAIWAN, working with the son of one of my biggest cricket heroes and my favourite film icon. Truly, God is kind.”
Oppam was a neo-noir action thriller in which Mohanlal played a visually-impaired person caretaker and lift operator at an apartment building, who goes from prime ‘witness’ in the murder of an acquaintance, to suspect, even though he protests and claims he can identify the actual perpetrator. Turns out, on account of his impairment, his other senses, including smell are heightened, which alerts him to the presence of the killer.
The original had Samuthirakani as the killer, a role that Akshay takes on in the Hindi version. The film went on floors in August and has Saif and Akshay reuniting onscreen after 17 years. They were last seen together in 2008’s Tashan.
FAQs:
Q: What is the title of Akshay Kumar's new film where he plays a negative role?
A: The film is titled Haiwaan. It is the Hindi remake of the 2016 Malayalam hit film Oppam.
Q: Why is the film Haiwaan significant for Akshay Kumar's career?
A: Haiwaan marks a significant turning point in Akshay Kumar's career because he is taking on a purely negative role after an 18-year hiatus from such characters.
Q: Who is directing Haiwaan and who are the other main actors?
A: Haiwaan is directed by Priyadarshan, a frequent collaborator of Akshay Kumar. The film also stars Saif Ali Khan as the blind protagonist, making it a reunion for the popular on-screen pair. The cast also includes Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar.