Akshay Kumar is Bollywood’s Mohanlal, says Priyadarshan; CONFIRMS ‘Oppam’ actor's cameo in ‘Haiwaan’: ‘His character will be a surprise’

Director Priyadarshan has kicked off his next Bollywood project ‘Haiwaan’, starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan. The shoot began on Saturday in Kochi, marking the start of a film that promises thrills, drama and a touch of surprise.The movie is a Hindi remake of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam hit ‘Oppam’, but the filmmaker stressed that many changes have been made to the dialogues and screenplay, making it clear that this won’t be a simple copy of the original.One of the biggest highlights of the project is the presence of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, who played the lead in the original. This time, he will appear in a cameo role in the Hindi remake. In a chat with OnManorama Priyadarshan teased, “His character will definitely be a surprise to the audience.” This special appearance will create a lot of excitement, as it brings Mohanlal together with Akshay and Saif on screen for the first time.Priyadarshan has worked with Akshay Kumar many times in the past, and their bond is well known. When asked about their repeated collaborations, the director gave a heartfelt response. He said, “It’s all about comfort. For me, he is Bollywood’s Mohanlal.” Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan have been one of Bollywood’s most loved duos. From their action-packed partnership in ‘Main Khiladi Tu Anari’ (1994) to their stylish pairing in ‘Tashan’ (2008), they have given fans plenty of memorable moments. With ‘Haiwaan’, the two actors reunite on the big screen after a long gap, bringing back nostalgia for audiences who grew up watching their films together.On the first day of shooting, Akshay Kumar shared a lively video from the set on his social media. In the clip, he is seen holding the clapboard while Saif Ali Khan and Priyadarshan enjoy some playful banter.Akshay was wearing a T-shirt with the word Saint written on it, and Priyadarshan could not resist joking. He quipped that Saif should have been the one wearing that shirt, while Akshay should be holding the ‘Haiwaan’ clapboard instead. The light-hearted moment gave fans a glimpse of the chemistry and humour the team shares behind the scenes.Sharing the video, Akshay Kumar gave his followers a taste of what to expect from the film’s theme. His caption read, “Hum sab hi hain thode se shaitaan… Koi upar se Saint, koi andar se Haiwaan. (We all are a little naughty; someone looks saintly while someone is a devil on the inside.)”While Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan lead the film, Shriya Pilgaonkar and Saiyami Kher will also be seen in important roles.