📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Bollywood Hungama
Entertainment
Director Priyadarshan Acknowledges Haiwaan's Box‑Office Failure, Rules Out Serious Projects with Akshay Kumar
✍️ Mid-Day
🗓 28 Sep 2026, 07:46 AM
👁 5
Veteran filmmaker Priyadarshan admitted that his recent film Haiwaan failed commercially and said he will not pursue serious‑themed movies with star Akshay Kumar.
Veteran director Priyadarshan publicly acknowledged that his latest venture, the action‑thriller Haiwaan, did not meet box‑office expectations. In a recent interview, he said the film’s performance was disappointing and that he accepts responsibility for its outcome.
He added that the experience will shape his future choices, emphasizing a shift away from serious‑themed collaborations with leading actor Akshay Kumar. Priyadarshan noted that while he respects Kumar’s versatility, he prefers to explore lighter or different genres moving forward.
The statement comes at a time when the Bollywood industry is closely watching the commercial viability of high‑budget action films. Industry analysts suggest that Haiwaan’s underperformance may prompt producers and directors to reassess risk‑taking strategies for similar projects.
No further details were provided about Priyadarshan’s upcoming slate, but he hinted that new projects are in the pipeline, likely focusing on entertainment‑driven content rather than heavy, issue‑based narratives.
He added that the experience will shape his future choices, emphasizing a shift away from serious‑themed collaborations with leading actor Akshay Kumar. Priyadarshan noted that while he respects Kumar’s versatility, he prefers to explore lighter or different genres moving forward.
The statement comes at a time when the Bollywood industry is closely watching the commercial viability of high‑budget action films. Industry analysts suggest that Haiwaan’s underperformance may prompt producers and directors to reassess risk‑taking strategies for similar projects.
No further details were provided about Priyadarshan’s upcoming slate, but he hinted that new projects are in the pipeline, likely focusing on entertainment‑driven content rather than heavy, issue‑based narratives.