Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan’s Haiwaan has crossed the 15,000-ticket mark in opening-day advance bookings, according to the latest tracking data. The Priyadarshan thriller releases worldwide on September 11, 2026, with its advance sales building ahead of opening day.
Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan are returning to the big screen together with Haiwaan, and the film is now approaching its theatrical release.
Directed by Priyadarshan, the Hindi thriller is scheduled to arrive in cinemas worldwide on September 11, 2026. The film has opened advance bookings ahead of its release and is currently showing a decent level of early ticket sales.
The latest booking figures suggest that the film has crossed the 15,000-ticket mark for its opening day.
Haiwaan Advance Booking Crosses 15K Tickets
The latest Sacnilk tracking update puts Haiwaan at around 16.7K tickets in its opening-day advance-booking data. However, its detailed booking table can vary as show and city-level numbers are updated, so the figure should be treated as a live pre-release estimate rather than a final total.
An earlier September 9 report from NDTV Profit had reported 17,538 tickets sold across 1,964 shows in 403 theatres and 123 cities, with ₹51.58 lakh collected through advance bookings at that point.
The numbers indicate that Haiwaan has established a measurable opening-day audience before release, although the final advance total will depend on bookings through September 10 and the morning of September 11.
What Does Haiwaan’s Advance Booking Mean For Its Opening?
The current numbers suggest a decent rather than explosive pre-release response.
That distinction matters because Haiwaan has several factors working in its favour. It brings Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan together again, reunites Akshay with Priyadarshan, and presents both actors in roles that move away from their most familiar screen images.
The film also carries the advantage of a major theatrical release date and a suspense-driven premise.
However, advance booking alone cannot determine the final opening. Walk-in audiences, spot bookings, show additions and audience reactions after the first shows can significantly change the film’s day-one performance.
Akshay Kumar And Saif Ali Khan Reunite After 18 Years
One of Haiwaan’s biggest selling points is the reunion of Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.
The two actors last shared the screen in Tashan in 2008, making Haiwaan their first theatrical collaboration in roughly 18 years.
This time, however, they are not simply returning as another conventional leading pair.
Saif plays the central character, while Akshay takes on a negative role. That reversal is a major part of the film’s pre-release appeal.
Priyadarshan has also revealed that Akshay was not originally part of the project. His casting reportedly came together after a conversation with the actor during the making of Bhoot Bangla, when Akshay expressed interest in playing a psychologically intense character.
Saif Ali Khan Plays A Visually Impaired Character
Saif Ali Khan’s role provides another unusual element in Haiwaan.
The actor plays a visually impaired man who becomes caught in a dangerous situation involving a murder case and a young girl. The film combines suspense, action and crime elements around his character.
Saif has also spoken about the physical challenge of performing the film’s action sequences while portraying visual impairment.
According to his recent comments, the raw action scenes were physically exhausting, adding another demanding layer to his performance.
Akshay Kumar Takes On The Antagonist
Akshay Kumar is stepping into antagonist territory with Haiwaan.
The actor plays a darker character rather than the traditional hero, making his pairing with Saif one of the film’s central attractions.
Priyadarshan has said that finding the right antagonist was initially a challenge. Akshay’s interest in playing a psychologically intense character ultimately helped shape the casting.
That casting decision could also give Haiwaan a different dynamic from the actor’s recent mainstream releases.
Instead of carrying the story entirely as a conventional protagonist, Akshay becomes the force opposing Saif’s character.
Is Haiwaan A Remake Of Oppam?
Haiwaan is based on Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, which starred Mohanlal in the lead.
However, the director has stressed that audiences should not expect a straightforward recreation of the original.
Priyadarshan deliberately kept Saif from watching Mohanlal’s performance in Oppam. He wanted Saif to develop his own interpretation instead of attempting to reproduce the earlier performance.
Boman Irani has similarly described Haiwaan as having its own treatment rather than functioning simply as a scene-for-scene remake.
That makes the film particularly interesting for audiences who have already watched Oppam.
Haiwaan Release Date, Runtime And Certification
Haiwaan is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on September 11, 2026.
The film has received a U/A 16+ certification from the Central Board of Film Certification. Its listed runtime is 2 hours and 44 minutes.
The cast includes Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar, with Priyadarshan directing.
The combination of a long runtime, mature certification and thriller format suggests that Haiwaan is being positioned as a serious theatrical suspense film rather than a conventional comedy-led Priyadarshan entertainer.
Can Haiwaan Pick Up Through Spot Bookings?
The opening-day advance figures leave room for growth.
A film does not necessarily need spectacular advance bookings to deliver a strong opening if its morning shows generate positive audience response. Haiwaan also has the advantage of two recognisable stars and a major director.
The key factor will be how the film performs when audiences begin watching it on September 11.
If early word of mouth is strong, additional shows and spot bookings could push the first-day numbers significantly higher than the current advance figures suggest.
For now, the safest reading is that Haiwaan has secured a decent early booking base but has yet to demonstrate blockbuster-level pre-release demand.
Haiwaan Box Office: The Opening-Day Test Begins September 11
The latest Haiwaan advance booking numbers show that the film has crossed the 15,000-ticket milestone, but the final pre-release tally is still evolving.
With Akshay Kumar in a negative role, Saif Ali Khan playing a visually impaired protagonist and Priyadarshan returning with a thriller, the film has a clear set of theatrical hooks.
The bigger question is whether those factors translate into strong occupancy once the film opens.
For now, Haiwaan enters its final pre-release stretch with 15K-plus opening-day ticket sales already recorded, while the remaining booking window could determine how strong its initial box-office position becomes.
Haiwaan releases worldwide in theatres on September 11, 2026.
FAQ
How many tickets has Haiwaan sold in advance booking?
The latest tracking has Haiwaan above the 15,000-ticket mark for its opening day, with figures continuing to change as bookings are updated.
When is Haiwaan releasing?
Haiwaan is scheduled to release worldwide in theatres on September 11, 2026.
Who stars in Haiwaan?
The film stars Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan, alongside Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar.
Is Haiwaan a remake of Oppam?
Yes. Haiwaan is based on Priyadarshan’s 2016 Malayalam thriller Oppam, although the director has said the Hindi film has been approached as its own interpretation.
Who directed Haiwaan?
Haiwaan is directed by Priyadarshan and produced by KVN Productions and Thespian Films.
