It is incredibly frustrating when OTT platforms quietly pull subtitles or entire films, especially when it cuts off non-native speakers from enjoying great cinema. The sudden removal of English subtitles for the Malayalam thriller Oppam—which is now released in Hindi as Haiwaan—mirrors the exact corporate strategy that recently outraged fans when the 2024 blockbuster Premalu was completely wiped from JioHotstar to make way for its upcoming Hindi remake, Prem Keetanu. Platforms and production houses frequently use these tactics to avoid direct comparison with the original and force audiences toward the new Hindi versions, but it completely alienates regional cinema lovers.
The strategy of removing subtitles from Oppam is designed to eliminate direct competition and redirect non-Malayalam audiences toward the Hindi remake, Haiwaan. While this corporate tactic frustrates regional cinema lovers who prefer the original, Haiwaan brings its own distinct cinematic benefits rather than being a simple “cut-and-paste” copy.
As director Priyadarshan made both films, he utilized the remake to update and transform the material. Says Priyadarshan, “There is no point in doing a remake unless it moves away and further than the original. This is why I very rarely do remakes. Oppam and Haiwaan are two different beasts. They resemble only in their basic theme. Everything else is re-imagined. An Akshay Kumar starrer cannot replicate a Mohanlal film. Saif who plays Mohanlal’s character interprets the character in a very different way. It’s like Dilip Kumar in Bimal Roy’s Devdas and Shah Rukh Khan in Sanjay Bhansali’s Devdas.”
While Oppam relies heavily on emotional suspense and family melodrama, Haiwaan leans into a much darker, visceral, and more brutal atmosphere tailored for modern thriller audiences. The action in Haiwaan is significantly scaled up. Saif Ali Khan’s character is an expert in Kalaripayattu (traditional martial arts), leading to intense hand-to-hand combat scenes that weren’t present in the original.
Priyadarshan heavily modified the dialogue and screenplay. The remake features a dark, revamped climax that breaks away from a predictable sequence for those who already know the basic plot. To ensure it wasn’t a direct imitation, Priyadarshan strictly forbade Saif Ali Khan from watching Mohanlal’s original performance. This allowed Saif to build his portrayal of the visually impaired protagonist entirely from his own imagination and preparation.
Spoiler! – As a nod to the original masterpiece, Mohanlal makes a special appearance in Haiwaan. His character was kept completely under wraps by the director to serve as a surprise connection for fans of Oppam.
