Saif Ali Khan has drawn a personal connection between filmmaker Priyadarshan and his late father, legendary Indian cricketer Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, popularly known as Tiger Pataudi. Saif said both men faced serious eye injuries but went on to excel in their respective professions. The actor made the observation while discussing Haiwaan, in which he plays a visually impaired musician and martial-arts coach under Priyadarshan's direction.

Saif described Priyadarshan as a senior and calm filmmaker and said his working style reminded him of his father. He also praised the director's ability to make quick decisions on set, noting that Priyadarshan generally gives actors one take and completes the day's shoot on time. The actor said this approach requires performers to make immediate choices and remain prepared throughout filming.

Tiger Pataudi lost sight in his right eye after a serious car accident in London in 1961 while a teammate was driving. Following surgery, he was left with double vision but returned to cricket within months. At the age of 20, he made his Test debut for India and became the youngest Test captain in the country's history the following year. He reportedly dealt with the double vision by positioning his cricket cap to cover his injured eye.

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Priyadarshan also had a connection with cricket before turning to filmmaking. The director played the sport at the state level during his youth and had aspirations of becoming a professional cricketer. However, an accident on the cricket field left him with a permanent disability after a ball struck his left eye. The injury changed the direction of his career and eventually led him towards filmmaking, where he established himself as one of India's prominent directors.

Haiwaan also brings Saif and Akshay Kumar together for the seventh time. Saif said Akshay's role as the antagonist elevated the project and described it as his first strong, author-backed role alongside the actor. He recalled that the two developed a friendship while working on their first film together, Yeh Dillagi, and shared memories from its 40-day shoot in Shimla, including humorous incidents involving Akshay's spot boy.

The upcoming film marks the reunion of Saif and Akshay after nearly two decades. Their previous collaboration was Vijay Krishna Acharya's 2007 action comedy Tashan. Saif said both Priyadarshan and Akshay believed Haiwaan represented some of his best work. The actor's comments have added a personal dimension to the film's promotion, particularly because of the parallels he sees between the director's life and his father's remarkable journey in cricket despite a major physical setback.

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