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Every few years, a film arrives that does not pretend to be anything other than what it is: a loud, colourful, full-on Bollywood entertainer built to make you laugh, tap your feet, and leave the theatre in a good mood. Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is exactly that film. Directed by the legendary David Dhawan and starring Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, and Pooja Hegde, this 2026 romantic comedy carries the energy of a family wedding where everyone is having too much fun to care about the script. But is pure fun enough? Here is our full review.
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai: At a Glance
- Title: Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai
- Release Date: June 5, 2026
- Director: David Dhawan
- Cast: Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, Pooja Hegde, Maniesh Paul, Jimmy Shergill, Mouni Roy, Chunky Pandey, Rakesh Bedi
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Language: Hindi
- Cinematography: Ayananka Bose
- WaykUp Rating: 3.5 out of 5
What Is the Story About?
Jaswinder, better known as Jass (Varun Dhawan), is a wedding photographer with a big heart and an even bigger desire to start a family. He falls head over heels for Bani (Mrunal Thakur) while shooting her sister’s wedding, and the two get married. Five years later, their marriage begins to crack: Jass wants a child, while Bani is focused on her career and is firmly against the idea. After a judge grants them a six-month cooling-off period, Bani makes it clear she wants out.
A heartbroken Jass relocates to London, where he finds love again with the warm and spirited Preet (Pooja Hegde). Life seems to be settling into a new normal until, on the very same day, both Bani and Preet arrive at his doorstep with the same piece of news: they are both pregnant with his child.
What follows is the sort of cheerful, chaotic comedy of errors that David Dhawan has been crafting for over three decades. The film’s title is an affectionate nod to the iconic song from Biwi No. 1 (1999), also directed by David Dhawan, and the nostalgic connection is very much intentional.
David Dhawan’s Signature Touch: The Good and the Predictable
This is David Dhawan’s 46th film as a director, and he has announced it as his last. If that is true, then Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is a farewell built entirely on his strengths: broad humour, colourful characters, musical energy, and a warm, inclusive sensibility that makes his films feel like a celebration rather than just a movie. His strength lies in taking familiar ingredients and packaging them into something thoroughly enjoyable.
The film leans hard into pop culture references and parodies of well-known Hindi film dialogues and scenes. Nearly every scene has a trademark punchline or one-liner, and while not every joke lands, enough of them do to keep the mood light and lively. Audiences who grew up on 1990s and 2000s Bollywood will find a lot to grin about here.
That said, the story is predictable almost from the opening reel. There is very little novelty in the overall structure, and anyone familiar with David Dhawan’s filmography will know roughly where this is all heading. The first half in particular is slow on laughs and relies heavily on setup. The film finds its real groove in the second half, where the comedy escalates, the chaos multiplies, and a climax that is funny, emotional, and slightly surprising pays off the wait reasonably well.
Performances: Where Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Truly Delivers
Varun Dhawan Is Back in His Element
Varun Dhawan reminds everyone in this film exactly why he became a star. He is absolutely in his element here, going delightfully over the top with the kind of manic comic energy that made Main Tera Hero and Judwaa 2 so enjoyable. His charm, timing, and sheer physical commitment to the slapstick make even the weaker jokes watchable. Several early-morning shows drew applause specifically for his performance, with audiences saying he is back to “old Varun” mode. He looks great on screen and his fans will not be disappointed.
Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde Both Shine
Both leading ladies hold their own with confidence. Mrunal Thakur delivers a genuinely wonderful performance, bringing a natural charm to Bani that keeps the character likeable even when the plot puts her in difficult situations. Pooja Hegde is warm, effortlessly glamorous, and has a natural ease with comedy. David Dhawan, to his credit, presents both women with full dignity: neither is reduced to a punchline, and both are given space to be funny, emotional, and fully human.
The Supporting Cast Is Pure Gold
Part of what makes this kind of film work is its ensemble, and Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai has assembled a genuine dream team of comedy veterans. Maniesh Paul adds to the laughter quotient as Kunnu, even if he has done funnier work elsewhere. Jimmy Shergill is dependable and brings a grounded quality to the proceedings. Chunky Pandey as Dr. Gulati and Rakesh Bedi as Selfie Kumar have limited screen time but leave a strong impression. Mouni Roy, as the wild and quirky Rasamalai, is the surprise of the film and completely steals her scenes. Cameos from Kriti Sanon and Johnny Lever are brief but well-received crowd-pleasers.
Music and Technical Elements
The music is a genuine highlight and arguably the best reason to watch this on a big screen. The song Chunri Chunri, a reimagining of the classic track, keeps the energy infectious throughout and is the kind of number that will have full theatres singing along. The background score effectively complements the film’s breezy tone without overpowering it.
Cinematographer Ayananka Bose gives the film a polished, vibrant look. The London sequences in particular are beautifully shot, and the overall colour palette is warm and inviting. The editing keeps the pace reasonable in the second half, though a tighter cut of the first half would have significantly improved the experience.
For more of the latest on Bollywood releases, music, and entertainment updates, visit WaykUp’s entertainment section for daily coverage of the films and shows everyone is talking about.
What Does Not Quite Work
In the spirit of a balanced review, here is where the film falls short:
- The first half drags and offers limited novelty in storytelling.
- The plot is predictable from start to finish. If you have seen any David Dhawan film, you will not be surprised by the destination.
- A few scenes feel stretched and could have been trimmed for a tighter runtime.
- The story logic takes a back seat frequently, which will bother viewers who prefer their comedy grounded.
- Ayesha Raza, playing Jass’s mother, is noticeably underused given her talent.
None of these are fatal flaws for the kind of film this is trying to be. But they do prevent Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai from being the truly memorable entry in David Dhawan’s filmography that a farewell film perhaps deserves to be.
Who Is This Film For?
This film is made for a very specific kind of viewer, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. You will love it if:
- You are a fan of Varun Dhawan and want to see him at his comedic best.
- You enjoy unapologetically mainstream, old-school Bollywood entertainment.
- You are looking for a stress-free, lighthearted watch with the family.
- Nostalgia for 1990s and 2000s Bollywood is your comfort zone.
You may want to give it a miss if:
- You need a tightly plotted script and consistent logic.
- You prefer your rom-coms grounded and emotionally nuanced.
- Slapstick and broad humour are not your thing.
If you enjoy watching films that pair great performances with sharp styling, you might also enjoy browsing WaykUp’s celebrity style coverage for looks and fashion moments inspired by your favourite Bollywood stars.
Our Verdict on Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is a breezy, buoyant, and unapologetically mainstream entertainer. It is not a film trying to change cinema or leave you with a profound message. It is David Dhawan doing what David Dhawan does best: giving audiences a fun, uncomplicated good time. The broad humour, the catchy music, Varun Dhawan’s infectious energy, and a genuinely entertaining supporting cast make this a film that succeeds at its core purpose.
As a farewell from one of Bollywood’s most prolific comedy directors, it is an affectionate, crowd-pleasing send-off. It may not be his finest hour, but it is a warm, smiling reminder of why his style of entertainment still has a loyal audience. Walk in without expecting a masterpiece, and you will walk out having had a good time.
WaykUp Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Verdict: A one-time watch that delivers on entertainment. Best enjoyed in a full theatre.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai about?
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is a 2026 Hindi romantic comedy about Jass (Varun Dhawan), a wedding photographer whose marriage ends due to conflicting views on starting a family. He then finds love again in London, only to find himself in a comical situation when both his ex-wife and new girlfriend announce they are pregnant with his child on the same day.
Who directed Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai?
The film was directed by David Dhawan, one of Bollywood’s most celebrated comedy directors. He has stated that this is his 46th and final film as a director, making it a milestone release.
Who is in the cast of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai?
The main cast includes Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, and Pooja Hegde in the lead roles, with a rich supporting cast featuring Maniesh Paul, Jimmy Shergill, Mouni Roy, Chunky Pandey, Rakesh Bedi, and cameos by Kriti Sanon and Johnny Lever.
Is Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai worth watching?
Yes, if you enjoy mainstream Bollywood entertainers with broad humour and catchy music. The film is a fun, stress-free watch, particularly in the second half. Critics and early audiences have widely called it a paisa-vasool entertainer, with trade analyst Taran Adarsh giving it 3.5 stars.
Is Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai a family film?
Yes, the film is rated UA16+ and is largely family-friendly in its tone. David Dhawan has been known throughout his career for making films that audiences of different age groups can enjoy together, and this one continues that tradition.
How is Varun Dhawan’s performance in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai?
Varun Dhawan is widely regarded as the standout of the film. He brings tremendous comic energy, charm, and screen presence to the role of Jass, reminding audiences of his breakout performances in Main Tera Hero and Judwaa 2. His timing and enthusiasm carry the film through its slower moments.
What is the significance of the film’s title?
The title is a direct reference to the iconic song Yeh Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai from Biwi No. 1 (1999), which was also directed by David Dhawan and featured Salman Khan. It is a nostalgic nod to his earlier work and signals the kind of fun, retro-flavoured entertainment audiences can expect.
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai released in cinemas across India on June 5, 2026.
Which OTT platform will stream Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai?
The film’s OTT streaming rights have not been officially announced yet at the time of this review. Keep checking WaykUp’s entertainment section for updates on the digital release date.
Image Source: news18.com
