Haiwaan has received a U/A 16+ certificate from the CBFC ahead of its September 11, 2026 theatrical release. The Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan starrer has a certified runtime of 164 minutes and 7 seconds, or approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes.
Haiwaan Gets U/A 16+ Certificate Ahead Of September 11 Release
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan’s Haiwaan has officially cleared its theatrical certification process.
The Priyadarshan-directed thriller received a U/A 16+ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification on September 8, just days before its September 11 release.
The certification comes as the film enters the final phase of its theatrical campaign.
The rating also confirms that Haiwaan is aimed at audiences aged 16 and above, with parental guidance applicable for younger viewers.
Haiwaan Runtime Revealed
The CBFC certification has also revealed the film’s final theatrical runtime.
Haiwaan runs for 164 minutes and 7 seconds, which translates to approximately 2 hours, 44 minutes and 7 seconds.
This gives the Priyadarshan thriller a substantial theatrical runtime as it prepares to arrive in cinemas.
| Haiwaan Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Certification | U/A 16+ |
| Certified On | September 8, 2026 |
| Runtime | 164 minutes 7 seconds |
| Approx. Runtime | 2 hours 44 minutes |
| Director | Priyadarshan |
| Release Date | September 11, 2026 |
| Lead Cast | Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan |
CBFC Makes Changes Before Clearing Haiwaan
According to an exclusive Bollywood Hungama report, the CBFC requested several changes before granting the certificate.
A visual near the beginning of the film was modified, while certain words and a sentence were replaced.
However, the report states that no visual cuts were imposed on the action sequences.
The film was subsequently cleared with the U/A 16+ certificate on September 8.
This means audiences will reportedly get to see the film’s action-heavy sequences largely intact.
Why Did Priyadarshan Stop Saif Ali Khan From Watching Oppam?
One of the most interesting aspects of Haiwaan is Saif Ali Khan’s preparation for his character.
The film is based on Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, which starred Mohanlal as the visually impaired character Shyam.
Saif takes on the same central character in the Hindi adaptation.
However, Priyadarshan deliberately prevented Saif from watching the original film before working on Haiwaan.
The filmmaker wanted Saif to develop his own interpretation instead of unintentionally reproducing Mohanlal’s performance.
Priyadarshan Wanted Saif To Create His Own Version Of Shyam
Priyadarshan explained that every actor has a different physical language.
Body movements, dialogue delivery, gestures and mannerisms naturally vary from performer to performer.
For that reason, he believed Saif needed to approach Shyam independently.
The director told Variety India that he did not want the actor to imitate Mohanlal’s portrayal. He instead discussed the scenes and character with Saif and allowed him to develop his own performance.
The approach is particularly important because Oppam remains a well-known Malayalam thriller, making comparisons between the two performances almost inevitable.
Saif Ali Khan Plays A Visually Impaired Character
In Haiwaan, Saif plays Shyam, a visually impaired man who becomes caught in a dangerous situation.
Priyadarshan has also spoken about the importance of portraying visual impairment convincingly.
The filmmaker said he researched the subject and spoke with visually impaired people while developing the character and story.
This research was intended to give Shyam’s experiences greater authenticity rather than treating his blindness simply as a plot device.
The character also places Saif in a very different performance space from many of his recent roles.
Akshay Kumar And Saif Ali Khan Reunite After 18 Years
Haiwaan marks the big-screen reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan after their last film together, Tashan, released in 2008.
Their collaboration dates back even further.
The two actors have previously shared the screen in films including Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Yeh Dillagi, Tu Chor Main Sipahi and Keemat.
Their return together after nearly two decades has become one of the biggest talking points around Haiwaan.
This time, however, they are not simply returning in a conventional buddy-film setup.
The film places them in a darker thriller environment, with their characters occupying dramatically different spaces within the story.
Haiwaan Cast And Priyadarshan’s Return To Serious Cinema
Alongside Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, Haiwaan features Boman Irani, Sharib Hashmi, Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar.
The film is directed by Priyadarshan, who is returning to serious thriller territory after becoming widely associated with Hindi comedy films.
The filmmaker recently explained that he has wanted to return to more serious cinema.
Boman Irani has also stressed that Haiwaan is not simply a scene-for-scene recreation of Oppam.
According to Irani, Priyadarshan retained the premise that interested him but approached the Hindi film differently.
That distinction could be important for audiences who have already watched the Malayalam original.
When Will Haiwaan Release In Theatres?
Haiwaan will release worldwide in theatres on September 11, 2026.
The U/A 16+ certification means the film has now completed the key theatrical certification process ahead of release.
With its certification, runtime and final promotional push now in place, the film is entering its most important pre-release window.
For Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan fans, the film also represents the return of a much-loved screen pairing in a darker and more intense setting.
FAQs
What certificate has Haiwaan received?
Haiwaan has received a U/A 16+ certificate from the CBFC. The certificate was issued on September 8, 2026, ahead of its September 11 release.
What is the runtime of Haiwaan?
Haiwaan has a certified runtime of 164 minutes and 7 seconds, which is approximately 2 hours and 44 minutes.
When is Haiwaan releasing?
Haiwaan is scheduled to release in theatres on September 11, 2026.
Why did Saif Ali Khan not watch Oppam?
Priyadarshan stopped Saif from watching Oppam so he could create his own interpretation of Shyam. The director did not want Mohanlal’s earlier performance to influence Saif’s body language or acting choices.
Is Haiwaan a remake of Oppam?
Haiwaan is a Hindi adaptation of Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam. However, the makers have indicated that the Hindi film has been approached differently rather than simply copying the original.
