Priyadarshan reveals the one acting tip that shaped Saif Ali Khan's blind character in Haiwaan

With the trailer of Haiwaan now out, audiences have gotten their first real look at Saif Ali Khan's character—a visually challenged man pursued by Akshay Kumar's menacing figure. It marks a first for the actor, who has never taken on such a role before. Now, director Priyadarshan has shed light on the creative process behind this portrayal.

Speaking about his approach, Priyadarshan revealed that his guidance to Saif was surprisingly straightforward: keep your eyes open. "The first thing I told him was, 'Open your eyes completely, do not blink and think in your mind that you can't see,'" the filmmaker recalled. Saif reportedly found this to be the most effective advice he had received for the part.

Priyadarshan explained that his direction stemmed from a desire to avoid the clichéd, often artificial depiction of blindness seen in cinema. He drew from his own observations at a blind school, where he was struck by the confidence and ease of the students. "They move as if they can see everything," he noted, adding that visually challenged individuals often navigate spaces without hesitation, relying on sound and even smell to understand their surroundings.

This level of research and insight impressed Saif, who expressed happiness at the depth brought to his character. Priyadarshan is confident the result will show on screen, promising a natural performance with "no overacting."

Haiwaan is slated for a theatrical release on September 11. Alongside Saif and Akshay Kumar, the film features Boman Irani, Saiyami Kher, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Sharib Hashmi in key roles.