David Dhawan‘s Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is exactly the kind of film one expects from the veteran filmmaker. It is colourful, chaotic, packed with misunderstandings and driven by the belief that entertainment need not always be complicated. At a time when mainstream comedies often lean towards sarcasm and self-awareness, Dhawan sticks to a formula that has served him well for decades, creating a light-hearted entertainer built around romance, confusion and larger-than-life situations.
The story follows Jass (Varun Dhawan), whose marriage with Baani (Mrunal Thakur) begins to fall apart when their priorities stop aligning. While Jass wants to settle down and start a family, Baani remains focused on her professional ambitions. The separation eventually leads Jass into a new romantic equation with Preet (Pooja Hegde), setting in motion a series of misunderstandings, deceptions and increasingly complicated situations. What starts as a relationship conflict soon evolves into a full-blown comedy of errors that constantly raises the stakes before arriving at a conclusion that manages to surprise.
The screenplay operates firmly within David Dhawan’s comfort zone. Logic frequently takes a back seat as the narrative prioritises comic situations over realism. Many of the developments are predictable and seasoned viewers of the genre will often see the next twist coming. Yet the film’s strength lies in its ability to keep the chaos moving. The humour may not always be inventive, but the pacing ensures that the proceedings rarely become dull
Varun Dhawan emerges as the film’s biggest asset. Given ample room to showcase his comic timing, he appears completely at ease under his father’s direction. Watching him, one is often left wondering whether he is evolving into a modern-day version of Govinda within the David Dhawan universe or whether it was David Dhawan’s filmmaking style that originally shaped the Govinda audiences grew up watching. The body language, expressions and rhythm of certain sequences evoke memories of that era of Hindi commercial cinema, and the familiarity works more often than not. Even when the situations become predictable, Varun’s enthusiasm and commitment help sustain the entertainment value.
Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde bring charm and screen presence to their respective roles, although the screenplay does not allow either actor to move significantly beyond the requirements of the plot. Their characters remain central to the confusion, but the film is ultimately designed around Varun’s journey and the situations surrounding him.
Among the supporting cast, Maniesh Paul gets substantial space as Jass’s friend and reluctant accomplice in managing the escalating mess. He contributes effectively to the comic momentum, though viewers who recently watched him alongside Varun in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari may experience a sense of familiarity in their dynamic.
David Dhawan further strengthens the comic ecosystem by surrounding the lead actors with performers who understand the demands of this genre. Rakesh Bedi is particularly enjoyable as a male nurse, while Chunky Panday adds his own brand of eccentricity as a doctor caught in the middle of the confusion. Johnny Lever proves to be one of the film’s most welcome additions. His presence instantly elevates several moments and serves as a reminder of why he remains one of Hindi cinema’s most dependable comic performers. Jimmy Sheirgill lends weight to the proceedings as Preet’s gun-wielding brother, while Mouni Roy adds glamour and humour as the fabricated mother-maasi figure created to sustain the web of lies and misunderstandings.
The film openly acknowledges the cinematic space from which it draws inspiration. Rather than attempting to reinvent its genre, it celebrates it. The humour works best when it emerges organically from the characters and their increasingly tangled circumstances rather than from forced punchlines. The music, vibrant production design and energetic presentation complement the film’s cheerful tone, while the overall treatment remains geared towards family audiences looking for uncomplicated entertainment.
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is less interested in breaking new ground and more focused on delivering a good time. There is very little at stake beyond a unique predicament emerging from a serious romantic conflict, but that simplicity ultimately becomes one of the film’s strengths. It understands exactly what it wants to be and rarely deviates from that objective. For viewers willing to embrace its exaggerated world and playful sensibilities, the film offers an enjoyable mix of humour, romance and nostalgia. It may not rank among David Dhawan’s finest works, but it successfully captures the spirit of the commercial entertainers that once dominated Bollywood screens and reminds audiences why that formula worked in the first place.
Movie: Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai
Directed by: David Dhawan
Featuring: Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, Pooja Hegde, Maniesh Paul, Jimmy Sheirgll, Rakesh Bedi, Chunky Panday, Johnny Lever, Rajesh Kumar, Mouni Roy, Kubbra Sait, Ali Asgar
Run Time: 2hrs 16mins
Theatrical Release Date: 05 June 2026