It’s quite ironical that Saif Ali Khan is headlining Priydarshan’s next film, action thriller Haiwaan, which is slated to release in cinemas on September 11. The movie, which stars Saif as a blind martial artist, marks his first collaboration with the veteran filmmaker, who as the actor pointed out recently, has an uncanny similarity with his late father, legendary cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi aka Tiger Pataudi.

Talking about the similarities between Tiger Pataudi and Priyadarshan, Saif told , “He reminds me of my dad. Both cricketers and both lost an eye but great in their professional space.”

Tiger Pataudi lost sight in his right eye after a severe car accident in London in 1961. The accident occurred while his India teammate was driving, and a shard of shattered windscreen glass pierced his right eye, leaving it permanently damaged.

Story continues below this ad

Following an eye surgery, Pataudi was left with double vision. Just five months later, at the age of 20, he made his Test debut for India, and even went on to become the youngest ever Test captain for the Indian cricket team the next year. He would often pull down his cricket cap on his right eye to block the double vision.

Similarly, when Priyadarshan was young, he used to play cricket at state level. He aspired to become a professional cricketer, but an accident on the pitch left him handicapped for life. The cricket ball struck his left eye, leading to him being forced to alter the course of his career, and switch to filmmaking instead. Priyadarshan has directed 99 films since then, with Haiwaan being the 99th.

Saif Ali Khan on what makes Priyadarshan special

Saif Ali Khan compared Priyadarshan to being as “senior and calm” as legendary Hollywood actor-filmmaker Clint Eastwood. The 96-year-old director helmed legal thriller Juror No. 2 just a couple of years ago. Priyadarshan is now all set to make his 100th film after Haiwaan. “Priyadarshan gives you just one take, so you have to make quick decisions as an actor, and he wraps up shoot in time every single day,” said Saif.

Haiwaan will also reunite Saif with Akshay Kumar, who played his elder brother in the former’s debut film, Naresh Malhotra’s 1994 romantic comedy Yeh Dillagi. After that, they teamed up for Sameer Malkan’s hit action comedy Main Khiladi Tu Anari the same year. They reunited for Guddu Dhanoa’s 1996 action film Tu Chor Main Sipahi, Malkan’s 1998 action movie Keemat: They Are Back, and Lawrence D’Souza’s 1999 action romance Aarzoo.

Story continues below this ad

The last film Saif and Akshay appeared together in was Vijay Krishna Acharya’s 2007 action comedy Tashan. They’ll now be seen teaming up after a gap of 19 years. But in Haiwaan, also starring Saiyami Kher and Shriya Pilgaonkar, Akshay plays the chief antagonist, a psychotic murderer.