3 minutes of readingNew DelhiJanuary 30, 2026 08:03 am IST
Priyadarshan is currently juggling several projects, one of which is Haiwaan. The film stars Saif Ali Khan in the lead role, with Akshay Kumar stepping in as the antagonist and Mohanlal making a special appearance. Haiwaan is the official Hindi remake of the 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam. However, what many may not know is that Saif Ali Khan was not the filmmaker’s first choice for the project. Priyadarshan had initially envisioned Amitabh Bachchan in the lead, a long-dreamed collaboration that, so far, has not come to fruition.
In an old interview with Rediff, Priyadarshan spoke candidly about the missed opportunities. “I have never been able to collaborate with writer MT Vasudevan Nair, and I have never been able to work with Mr. Bachchan,” he said, adding, “Many times we came very close to working together, but somehow the projects never materialized. For one reason or the other, the films we were supposed to do together fell through.”
Going deeper, the filmmaker revealed that while planning the remake of Oppam, Amitabh Bachchan was the only actor he could imagine as the blind lead. “I wanted to remake my 2016 hit Oppam, my film with Mohanlal. I could only think of Bachchan sir for the role,” he said, adding that the idea didn’t pan out because Bachchan had already played a similar character in the past. “I’m still looking for that script that will bring us together.”
Calling Amitabh Bachchan a constant source of inspiration, Priyadarshan said, “After more than 40 years of filmmaking, sometimes I feel it’s time to hang up my boots. Then I see Bachchan sir, who continues to work 18 hours a day despite doctors’ orders, and my batteries are instantly recharged.”
Priyadarshan officially announced Haiwaan last year, confirming Akshay Kumar’s addition to the cast.
Speaking to Pinkvilla, Priyadarshan revealed how Akshay came on board. “Originally, Akshay was not a part of the film. I was planning to do it with Saif, and he was excited about it. We tried approaching other actors, but they all said no because it was a small role. They wanted changes,” he said.
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He further shared, “While filming Bhoot Bangla, I told Akshay that I didn’t think Haiwaan would happen because I couldn’t find the right person for the other role, even though it is as important as the hero. Akshay asked me what the role was about. I never imagined that he would agree, but he asked me if I could do it. I asked him, ‘Are you serious?’ and he said, ‘Yes, I like the idea and I trust you.'”