Starring Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hedge, David Dhawan’s 46th, yes 46th film, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is getting ready for its international theatrical release on June 5. The film is one of the year’s most anticipated Bollywood entertainers, especially with the return of the legendary director David Dhawan.
David Dhawan is one of the most successful and influential directors in the history of mainstream Hindi cinema. He has directed over 45 films, known as David Dhawan family entertainers that celebrate everything audiences have loved about his cinema for decades.
Talking about the comedy, the director said, “This is my 46th film, and entertaining my audience continues to give me the biggest joy. The film has all the ingredients of a classic family entertainer, humour, confusion, music, and heart.”
During a recent on-stage conversation with his son and the film’s lead actor, Varun Dhawan, the veteran filmmaker candidly reflected 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 for 40 years, 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.”
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 was 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.
Now interestingly, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai has no script. “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 heightened by its arrival after a remarkable directorial legacy that includes some of Hindi cinema’s most beloved entertainers.
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.
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 arrives in cinemas internationally on June 5 through Marudhar Entertainment and FunAsia Films.
Producer Ramesh Taurani says, “With Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, we wanted to create a wholesome entertainer filled with laughter, music, romance, and family fun. We’re excited for audiences to experience the film’s energy and madness.”
