I’ll be honest with you. When I walked into the theatre on Friday, June 5th, to catch the first day first show of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, my expectations were sitting somewhere between cautiously hopeful and mildly suspicious. A David Dhawan comedy in 2026, starring his son Varun Dhawan alongside not one but two of Bollywood’s most glamorous actresses — it either had the ingredients to be a breezy, no-nonsense entertainer, or it was going to be a chaotic mess dressed up in colourful costumes. As someone who has been watching and writing about Hindi cinema for years, I’ve sat through enough Dhawan family productions to know that the fun, when it arrives, is rarely accidental. And this time, I’m glad to say, it does arrive — just not without some turbulence along the way.
Let me break this down for you properly.
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai : MOVIE AT A GLANCE
Title: Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai
Release Date: 5 June 2026
Director: David Dhawan
Screenplay: Yunus Sajawal
Additional Screenplay: Sachin Kumar Singh
Producer: Ramesh Taurani (Tips Films), Gaurav Bose (Maximillian Films)
Cinematographer: Ayananka Bose
Language: Hindi
Certificate: UA16+
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai : MOVIE AT A GLANCE THE CAST — WHO IS IN THIS FILM?
The film stars Varun Dhawan in the lead role, with Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde as the two female leads. The supporting cast includes Maniesh Paul as Kunnu, Jimmy Shergill as Jogi Randhawa, Rajesh Kumar as Ghuggi, Rakesh Bedi as Selfie Kumar, Chunky Panday as Dr Gulati, Mouni Roy as Rasamalai, Ayesha Raza as Jass’s mother, Manoj Pahwa as Shukla, Rajpal Yadav as Mishra, and Johny Lever as Godbole.
There are also cameos from Janhvi Kapoor and Sanya Malhotra, which add some pleasant surprise to proceedings. Interestingly, the film’s title is itself a nod to the classic song “Yeh Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai” from David Dhawan’s own 1999 film Biwi No. 1, which was picturised on Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen. So yes, there is a lineage here, and David Dhawan is clearly aware of the nostalgia he is invoking.
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai : THE PLOT — WHAT IS THE STORY ABOUT?
Jaswinder, or Jass (Varun Dhawan), is a wedding photographer who falls for Bani (Mrunal Thakur) while working on her sister’s wedding. They eventually marry, but five years later their relationship hits a wall. Bani asks for a divorce because Jass wants to have a child while she is focused on her career and is firmly against the idea.
The judge, played by Ali Asgar, decides to annul the marriage after six months in the hope that the two will reconcile. However, Bani is clear about wanting to separate. A heartbroken Jass then moves to London.
While abroad, Jass meets Preet (Pooja Hegde) and a new romance blossoms. But shocking revelations soon turn everything upside down, forcing Jass to confront love, loyalty, and what commitment truly means.
Without giving away the key twist, the film essentially becomes a story of a man caught between two pregnant women, navigating emotions, responsibilities, and a fair amount of comedic chaos that David Dhawan has always been the undisputed king of. The film was developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when David Dhawan began working on the script, and was officially announced on 10 July 2024 under this title.
THE ACTING — WHO STANDS OUT?
Varun Dhawan is in his element here. He goes a bit over the top in a few scenes, but overall puts up a very entertaining and massy performance. He looks dashing, and his fans will appreciate the energy he brings. What I genuinely respect about Varun in a film like this is that he never half-commits. When David Dhawan’s script asks him to be physically expressive and loud, he delivers it without irony. He is not ashamed of masala cinema, and that authenticity makes the comedy land far better than it would with a reluctant performer.
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Mrunal Thakur delivers a wonderful performance, and the same applies to Pooja Hegde. Both have been presented in a glamorous avatar by David Dhawan. What I found refreshing is that Mrunal’s character, Bani, is not reduced to a villain just because she wants a career over a baby. The film, to its credit, does not entirely demonise her choices — even if it nudges you toward Jass’s perspective.
Mouni Roy as Rasamalai is the surprise of the film. She walks in and simply steals the frame every time she appears. Her comedic timing is sharper than I expected, and she brings a spark to the second half that genuinely wakes up the audience. If you are going to take one thing away from this film performance-wise, it is Mouni Roy.
Chunky Panday as Dr Gulati and Rakesh Bedi as Selfie Kumar have limited screen time but are too good. Veterans like Johny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, and Manoj Pahwa are there for brief scenes but leave their mark, as they always do.
Maniesh Paul has done far funnier roles in his career, but he still adds to the laughter quotient. He does not feel wasted exactly, but you sense the script did not quite unlock his full potential. Ayesha Raza as Jass’s mother is unfortunately wasted. She is a talented actress and deserved far more than what the screenplay gave her.
WHAT WORKED
The second half of this film is where it truly earns its ticket price. The madness of the second half, Varun Dhawan’s strong performance, and the entertaining confusion save it from sinking.
David Dhawan has an instinctive, almost old-school understanding of what makes a certain kind of audience happy. The film succeeds in its primary objective to make audiences laugh, and benefits from its family-friendly appeal and stress-buster positioning. In a world where films often feel obligated to carry heavy messages, there is something genuinely comforting about a film that simply wants you to smile for two hours and asks nothing more of you.
The cinematography by Ayananka Bose gives the film a warm, colourful palette that suits the breezy tone perfectly. The London portions look great on screen and give the film a visual freshness. The supporting cast, particularly the veteran comedians, work like a well-oiled machine, and every time Chunky Panday appears on screen in his Dr Gulati avatar, the theatre responds with a warmth that cannot be manufactured.
WHAT DID NOT WORK
The first half is quite weak and the film is overly long. This is perhaps the most significant problem. The setup takes too long to find its footing, and the humour in the first half feels like it is warming up rather than firing. By the time the film really gets going, you may have glanced at your watch a couple of times.
The screenplay, while peppered with maddening and crazy moments that will be lapped up by the target audience, could have been sharper. There are stretches where the jokes feel recycled from earlier David Dhawan films, and long-time fans may sense a certain déjà vu. The film also does not attempt anything remotely new in terms of storytelling — it is proudly formulaic, and depending on your expectations, that will either be a comfort or a frustration.
The female characters, despite being played by two of Bollywood’s finest actresses, are not given the depth their talent deserves. Both Mrunal and Pooja do everything the script asks of them, but the script itself does not ask enough.
CONCLUSION AND PERSONAL VIEW
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is a typical old-school commercial masala entertainer that works only on one condition: that you leave your brain at home before entering the theatre. I mean that not as a criticism but as an honest compass reading. If you love David Dhawan’s style of cinema — the slapstick, the colour, the chaos — you will have a genuinely good time. If you walk in expecting something with dramatic depth or narrative sophistication, you have walked into the wrong film.
Personally, I found the film more enjoyable than I expected in the second half, and Mouni Roy alone is worth the price of admission in her brief but memorable role. Varun Dhawan’s sheer commitment to the material is admirable, and there are moments — particularly in the comedy sequences involving the supporting cast — where the film reminded me of why this genre of Hindi cinema has its own irreplaceable place in Indian popular culture.
On the whole, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is a breezy, buoyant, and unapologetically mainstream entertainer that plays firmly to David Dhawan’s strengths: broad humour, colourful characters, musical energy, and an instinctive understanding of what makes audiences smile.
My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars.
It is not a film of the year. It is not trying to be. It is, however, a decent weekend watch with friends or family who want to laugh without overthinking.
DETAILED FAQ SECTION
Q. Is Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai a family-friendly film?
Yes, largely. The film carries a UA16+ certificate, which means parental guidance is advised for younger viewers. There is no graphic content, but the central storyline involving a man and two pregnant partners may prompt questions from younger children. For adults and older teenagers watching together as a group, it is a comfortable watch.
Q. Who has directed Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai?
The film is directed by David Dhawan and produced by Ramesh Taurani under Tips Films along with Gaurav Bose of Maximillian Films.
Q. What is the story of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai in brief?
Jass and Bani’s five-year marriage begins to unravel as conflicting priorities around family and career push them toward separation. As their lives diverge, a series of unexpected situations complicates their choices, including a new relationship that emerges during Jass’s time abroad. When unforeseen revelations come to light, he is forced to navigate shifting emotions, responsibilities, and relationships.
Q. Is Varun Dhawan good in the film?
Yes, he is in strong form. He goes a bit over the top in places, as is expected in a David Dhawan comedy, but his physical commitment and charisma carry the film through its slower patches. His fans in particular will be satisfied.
Q. Where was Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai shot?
Parts of the film were shot in London, which serves as the backdrop for Jass’s life abroad. The London sequences are visually appealing and give the film a polished, international look.
Q. Is the film a remake or original?
The title is inspired by the song “Yeh Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai” from David Dhawan’s own 1999 film Biwi No. 1. However, the story itself is an original screenplay, not a direct remake of any previous film.
Q. Does Mouni Roy have a big role in the film?
Mouni Roy plays a character named Rasamalai and is the surprise of the film. Her screen time is not extensive, but she makes every moment count and is one of the highlights of the second half.
Q. Is the film worth watching in theatres?
If you enjoy old-school Bollywood comedies with big emotions, slapstick humour, and a breezy love story, yes, the theatrical experience adds to the fun. The background score and songs land better in a theatre environment. If you are on the fence, waiting for an OTT release is also a perfectly reasonable choice.
Q. Who has written the screenplay?
The screenplay is written by Yunus Sajawal, with additional screenplay by Sachin Kumar Singh. The story is credited to David Dhawan himself.
Q. Does the film have a good interval point?
The interval comes at a moment that is reasonably well-placed dramatically, when the central conflict involving the two women becomes clear. The second half is noticeably stronger than the first, so do stay through the interval rather than stepping out early.
Written from a genuine first-day theatrical experience. All factual details sourced from verified film publications and official cast listings. This review reflects the author’s independent assessment based on critical observation of the film.
Hi, I’m Prashant Jain — a film enthusiast and critic who lives and breathes cinema. From big-screen releases to the latest drops on OTT, I watch extensively and review honestly, without hype or bias.
I believe a good review should go beyond just “good” or “bad.” It should help you understand what works, what doesn’t, and whether a film is truly worth your time. My reviews focus on storytelling, performances, direction, and overall impact — all through the lens of a genuine viewer.
I regularly cover new movie releases and trending web series across OTT, bringing clear, no-nonsense insights for audiences who want real opinions, not paid praise.
Through PopNewsBlend, I aim to cut through the noise and give you reviews you can trust — whether you’re deciding what to watch next or just love discussing cinema as much as I do.
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