Our Bureau
Mumbai
Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar, who turned 59 on Wednesday, has teased audiences with a darker and previously unseen side of his acting in his upcoming thriller Haiwaan, set to release in cinemas on September 11.
Marking his birthday, Kumar shared glimpses of the Priyadarshan-directed film and reflected on what the project taught him about the blurred lines between good and evil. He said the film made him realise that appearances can be deceptive and that what seems good or evil may not always be so.
The actor also thanked fans for their continued support throughout his career, while promising that Haiwaan would present audiences with a side of him they have not seen before. His comments have added to curiosity around his role in the thriller, which has been promoted around the conflict between a hero and a mysterious antagonist.
Haiwaan brings Kumar and Saif Ali Khan together on screen after 18 years. The actors were last seen together in the 2008 film Tashan. In the new thriller, Khan plays a blind character, while Kumar appears in a markedly darker role, marking a departure from several of his familiar screen portrayals.
Directed by Priyadarshan, Haiwaan is a crime thriller and a remake of the director’s 2016 Malayalam film Oppam. The film also stars Boman Irani, Shriya Pilgaonkar, Saiyami Kher, Sharib Hashmi, Rajesh Sharma and Manoj Joshi in key roles.
Produced by Venkat K. Narayana and Shailaja Desai Fenn under KVN Productions and Thespian Films, Haiwaan is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on September 11. The film’s central mystery and the reunion of Kumar and Khan are expected to be among its major attractions.