Made for Rs 7 crore, earned Rs 65 crore, Akshay Kumar’s upcoming film is a remake of this 9-year-old blockbuster, actors are…, movie name is…

After a gap of 17 years, Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar are set to share screen space once again. According to reports, Priyadarshan will direct Haivan, with filming expected to begin in August.

This time, Akshay will shed his hero image to play a menacing villain, while Saif will take on the role of a blind man — but one who’s an expert in the ancient martial art, Kalari Payattu.

Where have we seen this story before?

Not many know that Haivan is the official Hindi remake of the 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam, also directed by Priyadarshan. Starring Mohanlal, the original was made on a modest budget of Rs 7 crore but went on to earn Rs 65 crore, becoming the third-highest-grossing Malayalam film of that year.

The Hindi dubbed version, Prime Witness, had a limited theatrical run but received a positive response from audiences.

What’s the plot of Oppam?

The story revolves around a retired judge trying to protect his daughter from a criminal he once sentenced. When the judge is murdered, his trusted aide, a visually impaired man, takes on the responsibility of safeguarding her from the killer.

The film’s gripping narrative earned it over 22 awards, including Best Film, Best Actor, and Best Director. It remains freely available on YouTube, where thousands have revisited its tense storytelling.

Why is Haivan already in the buzz?

With Priyadarshan reuniting with both Akshay and Saif, and with a proven hit story at its core, Haivan has all the makings of a high-stakes action thriller. The unusual character arcs, a blind martial arts expert and a ruthless antagonist promise something different from the usual Bollywood fare.

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