Priyadarshan’s film “Haiwaan” is being reviewed as a dark, cat-and-mouse thriller, with particular attention on Saif Ali Khan’s performance in an unusual role. NDTV’s review describes the movie’s tone as “dark and deadly,” emphasizing the tension and the cat-and-mouse dynamic driving the narrative.

The review also contrasts the lead performances, noting that matching actor Mohanlal’s presence is described as a difficult challenge. While the outlet frames Mohanlal as a high bar to match, it credits Saif with making the most of the opportunity presented by his character and the film’s darker approach.

Across the two NDTV pieces, the core positioning remains consistent: the film’s thriller structure, its heavy tone, and Saif’s lead role are central themes. Differences in wording focus more on how the mood and plot are characterized rather than on any disagreement about what the film is or how it performs.