Jul 15, 2026 8:00pm IST
Saif Ali Khan on Playing a ‘Blind Samurai’ in ‘Haiwaan’ and His New Dynamic With Akshay Kumar (EXCLUSIVE)
Saif Ali Khan is looking forward to presenting a different side of himself in “Haiwaan.” The actor reunites with Akshay Kumar for the film directed by Priyadarshan. Describing his character as one of the most exciting roles to have come his way, Khan says, “It’s one of the most amazing roles I’ve been offered because it’s such a sympathetic character. In my head, I get to play an Indian version of a blind samurai. How cool is that? He’s blind, but he’s specially-abled. He can somehow sense things, fight, catch a ball, and protect a young girl. It was fascinating to find the physicality of that without making it look exaggerated.”
The role, he says, presented a new challenge every day on set. “It was something completely new for me. More importantly, it’s a character written for the audience to genuinely feel for, which I haven’t really had much of, for whatever reason. I’m really happy I got this role. Working with Priyadarshan sir was amazing. It reminded me of Clint Eastwood. Very economical and absolutely sure of what he wanted. We rarely did more than one take. I like doing a few takes, but you adapt to whoever you’re working with. It was interesting to be completely ready for that very first take, and somehow it really worked.”
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“Haiwaan” also reunites Khan with Akshay Kumar, with whom he has shared the screen space in films like Yeh Dillagi (1994), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Keemat (1998), Aarzoo (1999) Tashan (2008). This time, however, Khan says Kumar’s role brings a very different dynamic to their on-screen equation. “It’s great that he’s playing this part in this movie. It has kind of made it more exciting… in a kind of dangerous, negative role. I haven’t seen him do that very often. In the past, we’ve had great chemistry. I love Akshay… he’s like an elder brother to me. We have a very special bond because we’ve seen each other from before day one. We go all the way back. While shooting the film, Priyan sir would say, ‘You are behaving like naughty children.’ Akshay said, ‘I don’t know, he brings that out in me,’ and I said, “You’ve been talking rubbish.” When we’re solo, we’re a bit more mature, I think."
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While their off-screen equation remains unchanged, their on-screen dynamic gets a new spin in “Haiwaan.” Khan shares, “This film doesn’t rely on that kind of chemistry and comedy, which is also good because I think that’s had its time and it’s not the make-or-break. This role is a dream for me. I can’t wait to see how it comes out.”
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