The upcoming films Haiwaan and Mysaa are drawing attention for their unusually demanding action sequences, with both productions relying on practical stunt work over digital effects. Haiwaan, directed by Priyadarshan, features Saif Ali Khan as a visually impaired man who fights back against his tormentors, while Mysaa stars Rashmika Mandanna as a Gond tribal woman who performs a landmark underwater combat scene.
In Haiwaan, Saif Ali Khan plays a character with heightened senses who is beaten, kicked, and slapped before he retaliates. The sequence was filmed without body doubles, CGI, or camera tricks. Stunt choreographer Silva designed the fight, which took place in a room filled with broken glass from photo frames and damaged cupboards.
Saif Ali Khan described the physical toll of the shoot. ‘It’s a scene with a great build-up because the characters torture and bash up my character, kicking and slapping him,’ he said. ‘As an audience, you want him to retaliate, which he eventually does. I thought I was alright but I was exhausted because that is how intense the action scene was.’
He added: ‘Silva really choreographed that fight, and there were no special effects added to it, there were no duplicates. There’s very little fakery in these scenes. The room has broken glass everywhere. It was very raw and kind of violent, and it was utterly exhausting because after that I had to lie down for two days.’
The actor also noted that the production did not arrange separate training workshops. He rehearsed a few moves with Silva before filming. ‘There wasn’t much prep before the scene. I had asked for training, but it didn’t work out like that. However, we did rehearse a couple of moves, but the idea was to make it very raw,’ Saif recalled.
Haiwaan also features a large-scale chase sequence shot over five nights near Churchgate railway station in Mumbai. Director Priyadarshan filmed the cat-and-mouse sequence with 30 to 40 cars and 100 junior artistes. Action director Stunt Silva choreographed the sequence, which reunites Saif Ali Khan with Akshay Kumar after 18 years.
Mysaa, directed by Rawindra Pulle, has been promoted for what the makers call India’s first female-led underwater fight sequence. Rashmika Mandanna performed the stunts herself without an action double. She spent nearly 20 hours underwater over two days to complete the sequence.
The underwater combat runs for three and a half minutes and serves as the payoff to an 80-foot waterfall jump filmed at Kerala’s Athirappilly Falls. Director Rawindra Pulle told Hyderabad Times: ‘The underwater combat begins the second she hits the water. Mysaa leaps from the waterfall, and what follows is a crucial, highly choreographed underwater fight. We spent three days filming this portion, preceded by a full day of rehearsals, because getting every physical detail right was paramount.’
The sequence was shot at a specialised underwater studio in Shamshabad, originally built for the film Devara. Pulle explained the logistical challenges: ‘Because there are very few underwater studios in the South, we had to be incredibly precise. One of the biggest challenges wasn’t the action itself, but maintaining the water quality. To ensure perfect visibility and safety, the water had to be completely purified every single day, which became a highly demanding process throughout the shoot.’
Rashmika Mandanna had no formal underwater training before the shoot. She spent 8 to 10 hours in the water daily after one day of rehearsals. The film’s cinematographer, Sukesh Vishwanath, taught her underwater sign language so she could communicate if she was in distress.
The teaser for Mysaa, released on September 20, shows Rashmika’s character chopping off limbs and breaking necks with a sickle. She also rides a bike and fights underwater. The teaser opens with her voiceover: ‘I am tired, I have stopped, I have lost.’
During the shoot, Rashmika suffered a painful injury when her tendon detached during a pivotal action sequence. The role required extensive physical preparation. International action choreographer Andy Long worked on the combat sequences, with additional action choreography by Kecha.
Mysaa is scheduled for a simultaneous theatrical release in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam on November 27, 2026. Haiwaan is set for release on September 11, 2026, and also stars Boman Irani, Sayami Kher, and Shriya Pilgaonkar.