Haiwaan, Sardar 2, and EPIC Arrive in Cinemas to Mixed Opening Reviews

Movie theatres across India witnessed a high-stakes multi-language box office clash on September 11, headlined by the nation-wide release of director Priyadarshan's Hindi psychological thriller Haiwaan, Tamil spy sequel Sardar 2, and Telugu romantic drama EPIC - First Semester. The theatrical lineup presents major star-driven offerings across North and South Indian cinema markets, as exhibition chains look to revive footfalls following a sluggish pre-release booking cycle.

The widest release among the new arrivals, Haiwaan, brings lead actors Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan back together on screen after 17 years, but enters cinemas facing a soft commercial start. Simultaneously, regional releases Sardar 2, starring Karthi in a dual role, and EPIC - First Semester, featuring Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, have opened to divided audience reactions across social platforms, leaving their long-term theatrical performance dependent on weekend walk-in crowds.

According to trade tracking figures from Sacnilk, Haiwaan recorded a subdued pre-release response, gathering approximately Rs 1.03 crore net in Day 1 advance bookings and Rs 2.76 crore when including blocked seats. Leading national multiplex chains logged under 10,000 ticket sales prior to opening morning, projecting an opening day collection beneath the Rs 5 crore threshold and placing the film behind existing holdover title Mirzapur: The Movie in live box office tracking.

The film serves as an adaptation of Priyadarshan's 2016 Malayalam hit Oppam, originally starring Mohanlal, though the filmmaker emphasized that the Hindi adaptation carries distinct narrative adjustments. Speaking on the changes ahead of release, Priyadarshan said, "No, I don't want to talk about the changes. Let people see it and understand." The director noted that he initially planned the film with Saif Ali Khan before bringing Akshay Kumar on board to execute an unconventional antagonist role.

Actor Boman Irani, who features in the ensemble cast alongside Paresh Rawal, Tabu, Saiyami Kher, and Shriya Pilgaonkar, noted that working under Priyadarshan demanded letting go of rigid rehearsal routines. Irani stated, "As an actor, I often over rehearse. I do the lines while wearing my socks, shaving, etc. When you get onto the floor, you have Mr. Priyadarshan telling you, 'Just say this one time, look into the camera, and just walk off the camera'. Then all my preparation has come to zero."

Haiwaan received a UA 16+ certification from the Central Board of Film Certification with a final runtime of 2 hours and 44 minutes. The narrative centers on Shyam, played by Saif Ali Khan, a visually impaired man embroiled in a murder investigation involving a retired judge, while Akshay Kumar portrays Parshuram, a vengeful antagonist pursuing the judge's daughter, bringing both lead actors into direct conflict.

The film marks the first screen reunion between Kumar and Khan since the 2008 action feature Tashan, following earlier nineties collaborations including Main Khiladi Tu Anari and Yeh Dillagi. Reflecting on the casting process, Priyadarshan shared, "While I was shooting Bhoot Bangla, I casually told Akshay that I was looking for a character like this and many people were not agreeing. He immediately said, 'I will do it.'"

Describing the working relationship on set, Khan revealed that their long-standing personal dynamic made shooting the intense thriller enjoyable. Khan said, "We were laughing like children most of the time and then somehow managing to be serious when the camera was on. We go way back. We somehow bring out the juvenile side of each other." Meanwhile, co-star Saiyami Kher described shooting in Kochi alongside the veteran actors as a complete joyride.

In Tamil cinema, director PS Mithran released Sardar 2, expanding the espionage franchise established by the original 2022 hit. The sequel features actor Karthi returning in a dual role as both a younger protagonist and the aged master spy character, supported by a cast that includes SJ Suryah, Malavika Mohanan, Ashika Ranganath, and Rajisha Vijayan, with music composed by Sam CS.

Initial audience responses on social media platforms highlight high-octane action sequences, an energetic background score, and an engaging interval block as primary strengths. Viewers praised the dramatic face-off between Karthi and SJ Suryah, noting that the opening frames establish a fast-paced chase structure that maintains momentum through the first half.

However, overall audience sentiment remains divided due to criticisms surrounding the film's second half. Several reviews noted that a three-hour runtime, predictable plot points, logical inconsistencies, and unconvincing visual effects weigh down the narrative, leading trade observers to project a challenging box office journey if theatrical momentum slows down after the opening weekend.

Telugu cinema saw the release of EPIC - First Semester, directed by Aditya Haasan following his success with the digital series 90s - A Middle Class Biopic. The romantic drama reunites actors Anand Deverakonda and Vaishnavi Chaitanya, who previously delivered a massive commercial hit with the 2023 release Baby.

First-day viewer feedback commends the on-screen chemistry between Deverakonda and Chaitanya, particularly during the light-hearted romantic and comedic segments set in India. Audience members also highlighted emotional sequences involving father-son dynamics as a major narrative strength supported by an effective musical score.

Despite positive reactions to the introductory portions, the film's narrative trajectory drew criticism in its latter half. Multiple viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the overseas UK plotline, describing the character decisions as unconvincing and noting that the pre-climax and final resolution lacked emotional impact compared to their prior collaboration.

With advance pre-sales remaining modest across all major releases, theater owners and distributors are banking heavily on walk-in audience traffic and word-of-mouth recommendations over Friday evening and the upcoming weekend. The three films face sustained competition from holdover titles, requiring substantial growth on Saturday and Sunday to secure viable long-term theatrical runs.