Priyadarshan Confirms Mohanlal’s Cameo In Akshay Kumar And Saif Ali Khan’s Haiwaan | Bollywood News

Director Priyadarshan has confirmed that Mohanlal will make a special cameo in Haiwaan, his upcoming thriller starring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.

Director Priyadarshan, who has a reputation for delivering both blockbusters and cult classics, is currently busy with his next Hindi film Haiwaan, featuring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan in lead roles. In an exclusive conversation with Pinkvilla, the veteran filmmaker finally confirmed a major update—Malayalam superstar Mohanlal will indeed appear in the film, albeit in a special cameo.

When PinkVilla asked whether he planned to make a full-fledged movie featuring both Akshay and Mohanlal together, Priyadarshan was candid about his process. He explained that he does not approach films with a star-cast-first mindset but instead lets the story dictate the casting. “If you’re asking me about Haiwaan, Mohanlal is there in that film. However, what character he plays, I don’t want to say right now. See, every time I make a movie, it is the story that excites me. I never think about actors,” he said.

He further elaborated, “First is always the script. Then the actor follows. I cannot say, ‘I am gonna make a film with Mohanlal and Akshay Kumar together.’ You can’t… like, you will never get a script then. Whenever you get a script, then go behind the right cast—that’s the right way of making films. I have never chased a star to make a film.”

About Haiwaan

Haiwaan is an upcoming Hindi-language thriller that brings together Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan under Priyadarshan’s direction. The film is said to be adapted from Mohanlal’s acclaimed 2016 thriller Oppam. Backed by Thespian Films and KVN Productions, the project has already generated buzz and is slated for a 2026 theatrical release. The cast also includes Samuthirakani, Saiyami Kher, Shreya Pilgaonkar, Asrani, and Einar Haraldsson in key roles.

Cast Updates and Upcoming Projects

For Akshay Kumar, Haiwaan follows the release of Jolly LLB 3, where he reprised his role in the hit courtroom comedy opposite Arshad Warsi. Saif Ali Khan, meanwhile, was last seen in the thriller Jewel Thief. Mohanlal, fresh off his Onam release Hridayapoorvam, will now be seen in a cameo that is already being touted as one of the film’s big talking points.

Priyadarshan, who has worked extensively across Malayalam, Hindi, and Tamil cinema, also revealed that Akshay will headline another of his upcoming projects, the horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla. With Haiwaan promising a blend of suspense and star power—and now, a confirmed Mohanlal cameo—the film has quickly become one of the most anticipated releases of 2026.