Priyadarshan has long been known for his comedic prowess, but behind the scenes, he's always craved a chance to explore more serious fare.

The master of comedy-turned-thriller filmmaker reveals that his next project, Haiwaan, marks a departure from his usual genre. With Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Kumar on board, Priyadarshan is pushing the boundaries of his acting style once again.

Hindi remake's lead, priyadarshan chose

For the Hindi remake's lead, Priyadarshan chose Saif as the blind lift operator, citing his age and look as perfect for the role. "Saif is someone with whom I have wanted to make this film for a while," he explains.

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"When I narrated the film to him, he said, 'I have never done something like this before.'"

However, it was Akshay Kumar who ultimately landed the role of the antagonist – a character Priyadarshan initially wasn't keen on casting. "I approached many actors, and they refused," he reveals. The actor's entry into the film came after a chance conversation on the set of their previous collaboration, Bhooth Bangla.

"I casually mentioned it to Akshay on the set of Bhooth Bangla, and he said, 'Why can't I do this?' And it happened," Priyadarshan recalls. When asked why he never approached Akshay earlier despite having a rapport with him, the filmmaker admits that he underestimated his star's willingness to take on new roles.

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"I never thought he would accept this," Priyadarshan says. "Because I wouldn’t say they were of the same stature as Akshay, but they said no." For Priyadarshan, casting is all about finding the right level of submission from his actors – a quality that allows them to surrender to the script and let the director's vision shine through.

"When an actor surrenders to a script and a director, it works most of the time," he explains. "But if he is trying to become the director and writer, things won’t work." With Haiwaan, Priyadarshan is once again proving himself as a master of his craft – this time, behind the camera.

The film also marks the late Asrani's final screen appearance, cementing its place in cinematic history. With its talented cast and gripping storyline, Haiwaan promises to be an unforgettable experience for audiences.