Our Bureau
Mumbai
As ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ gears up for its international theatrical release on June 5, the film is carrying a significance that goes far beyond being one of the year’s most anticipated Bollywood entertainers.
The film is increasingly being viewed as a potential swansong for legendary filmmaker David Dhawan, one of the most successful and influential directors in the history of mainstream Hindi cinema. During a recent on-stage conversation with his son and the film’s lead actor Varun Dhawan, the veteran filmmaker reflected candidly on his remarkable career, his family, and the possibility of slowing down after more than four decades in cinema.
While stopping short of formally announcing retirement, David acknowledged that after directing over 45 films, family and health have become increasingly important.
“I can make another four films also, but sometimes my health… I have to take care. My children, my wife… Today my biggest relief is my grandchildren.”
The comments have resonated deeply with fans who have grown up on the filmmaker’s uniquely joyful brand of comedy and family entertainment.
At the heart of ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ is a deeply personal father-son collaboration. The film reunites David and Varun Dhawan for their fourth film together following Main Tera Hero, Judwaa 2, and Coolie No. 1.
During the conversation, Varun paid an emotional tribute to his father’s legacy, saying:
“He is my father, but he is also a legend. He has made over 46 films. He is the most successful director I have ever worked with and will ever work with.”
Reflecting on his father’s extraordinary body of work and his relationship with audiences, Varun added:
“When a film released on Friday, journalists would say, ‘What is this rubbish?’ By Saturday it would become a hit.”
The event offered a rare glimpse into the affection and admiration that exists between father and son, with Varun also speaking about the sacrifices David made throughout his career and the lessons he learned from watching him navigate success and setbacks.
For David, the film also represents a celebration of the values that have defined his cinema throughout the decades.
“What is a script? Parents are still parents, brothers are still brothers, friends are still friends. That’s where stories come from.”
The emotional weight of the film is amplified by the fact that it arrives after a remarkable directorial legacy that includes some of the most beloved entertainers in Hindi cinema.
Among David Dhawan’s most iconic films are:
Coolie No. 1 (1995)
One of Bollywood’s most celebrated comedy blockbusters, remembered for its unforgettable humour, music and Govinda’s iconic performance. The film’s popularity later inspired David Dhawan to revisit the classic with son Varun Dhawan in the lead, creating a bridge between generations of audiences.
Judwaa (1997)
A defining Salman Khan entertainer and one of the most enduring commercial comedies of the 1990s. Two decades later, David Dhawan successfully reinvented the franchise with *Judwaa 2*, starring Varun Dhawan, which became one of the biggest hits of his career.
Biwi No. 1 (1999)
A massive blockbuster that blended comedy, romance and family drama, becoming one of the highest-grossing films of its year and delivering some of Bollywood’s most memorable songs.
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004)
Starring Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Priyanka Chopra, the film became one of the defining comedy entertainers of the 2000s and remains a fan favourite.
Partner (2007)
A major box-office success that brought together Salman Khan and Govinda in one of Bollywood’s most loved buddy comedies, further cementing David Dhawan’s reputation as the king of commercial entertainers.
Now, with ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’, David Dhawan returns to the genre he helped popularise — delivering a colourful, music-filled entertainer packed with comedy, romance and family appeal.
Starring Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, the film also serves as a symbolic passing of the baton between generations. Having successfully reimagined two of his most iconic films — Judwaa and Coolie No. 1 — with Varun in the lead, David Dhawan now closes this chapter with an entirely new entertainer that celebrates everything audiences have loved about his cinema for decades.
Whether or not this ultimately proves to be his final film, ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ stands as a celebration of a filmmaker whose work shaped mainstream Bollywood comedy and brought joy to millions across generations.
A Tips Films production directed by David Dhawan, ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ — starring Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde — arrives in cinemas internationally on June 5 through Marudhar Entertainment and FunAsia Films.
