Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan’s latest promotional stop delivered exactly the kind of update fans were waiting for, just not on every film in their shared orbit. While speaking about their packed slate, the duo identified August 2026 as the target release period for Haiwaan, but stayed non-committal on Hera Pheri 3.
The conversation unfolded during promotions for Bhooth Bangla, the horror comedy that reunites Akshay and Priyadarshan after years. Asked about Haiwaan, Priyadarshan said, “It will release around 90 days of this film (Bhooth Bangla).” Akshay then added, “somewhere in August…” Together, the two indicated August 2026 as the intended release period for the action thriller.
Haiwaan Gets Its Clearest Timeline Yet
The update matters because Haiwaan has already drawn attention for bringing Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan together in a dark action thriller. The film features Akshay in a negative role, with Saif leading the story as the protagonist. The project has also completed filming, making these promotional remarks the clearest public guidance yet on its release period.
The same interaction also turned the spotlight on Hera Pheri 3, and here the response was straightforward. Both Akshay and Priyadarshan offered no fresh update, while the legal dispute connected to the franchise continues to keep the film in limbo.
Bhooth Bangla Comes First
Before Haiwaan reaches theatres, the duo’s immediate priority is Bhooth Bangla, which is scheduled to release on April 10, 2026. Backed by Balaji Motion Pictures and Cape of Good Films, the film is directed by Priyadarshan and stars Akshay Kumar alongside Tabu, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Wamiqa Gabbi and Jisshu Sengupta. Positioned as a horror comedy, the film marks another genre space where the actor-director pair has previously delivered crowd-pleasing entertainers.
That makes the latest Haiwaan update especially striking. Within a short span, Akshay is set to move from comic horror into a darker action space, giving audiences two sharply different big-screen outings in the same phase of his release calendar.
Akshay’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Akshay’s recent run has been defined by range as much as frequency. Over the last two years, he has fronted titles such as Bade Miyan Chote Miyan, Sarfira, Khel Khel Mein and Sky Force, continuing his pattern of moving between action, drama and mainstream entertainers. In that context, Haiwaan adds a more intense, high-concept thriller to his 2026 line-up, while Bhooth Bangla keeps his long-running commercial appeal firmly in play.
With Bhooth Bangla arriving first and Haiwaan following in the same larger phase of his slate, Akshay’s current line-up shows a star leaning into contrast rather than comfort. That balance between familiar mass appeal and darker material is one of the most intriguing elements of this reunion era with Priyadarshan.
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