Haiwaan has reportedly emerged as one of lowest-grossing films, and its underperformance appears to have influenced director Priyadarshan’s approach to future collaborations with the actor.
The filmmaker, who has created some of Akshay’s most beloved comedies, has suggested that their partnership may work best when they stay within the comic genre rather than attempting serious subjects.
Priyadarshan has delivered several memorable hits with Akshay over the years, including ,Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhag, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and De Dana Dan. Their latest collaboration, Bhooth Bangla, also returned to the comedy space. However, Haiwaan marked a departure from the kind of films that have traditionally worked for the actor-director duo, and its disappointing box-office performance has seemingly reinforced Priyadarshan’s belief that audiences prefer seeing them together in comedies.
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Priyadarshan On Haiwaan’s Failure
Reflecting on the film’s failure, told Deccan Chronicle, “The failure of Haiwaan, which I accept gracefully, proves again that audiences don’t like us to do serious subjects together. This is not the first time I’ve failed in a non-comedy genre with Akshay. Many years ago, we did a film called Khatta Meetha, which starred Trisha Krishnan with Akshay. That too had under performed. I don’t think the audience wants to see us in the non-comedic space.”
The filmmaker also pointed to Khatta Meetha as an earlier example of their attempt to explore a non-comedic space. Released in 2010, the film featured Akshay in a satirical political comedy-drama, but it did not achieve the kind of impact associated with several of Priyadarshan and Akshay’s collaborations in the comedy genre.
The director’s comments come after a long history of successful collaborations with Akshay. The pair first worked together on Hera Pheri in 2000, which went on to become a landmark comedy, before reuniting for Garam Masala, Bhagam Bhag, Bhool Bhulaiyaa and De Dana Dan. Their films have often combined Akshay’s comic timing with Priyadarshan’s ensemble-driven style and chaotic humour.
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With Haiwaan failing to replicate that success, Priyadarshan appears to have drawn a clear distinction between the genres that have historically defined his partnership with Akshay. His remarks suggest that future collaborations between the two could once again lean towards the comedy space that audiences have come to associate with their pairing.