Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai (2026): David Dhawan’s Retro Romance Lacks Modern Spark

David Dhawan returns to the rom-com turf with a film that opens on Jass Ahuja (Varun Dhawan) stumbling through a chaotic wedding sequence that feels like a time capsule from 2002. The premise is pure vintage Dhawan, a man juggling two women, a best friend with a loud mouth, and a father figure dispensing questionable advice, but the execution lands somewhere between affectionate homage and stale rehash.

Varun Dhawan’s Comic Timing Can’t Save a Tired Script

Varun Dhawan throws himself into Jass with the physical commitment we’ve come to expect, and there’s a specific stretch where he’s trying to explain his double-life to both Baani and Preet in the same restaurant that shows flashes of his father’s leading-man energy. He sells the slapstick with genuine enthusiasm, but the material keeps betraying him.

The problem is that Jass never becomes more than a collection of nervous tics and wide-eyed reactions. Dhawan’s performance works in isolation, but the screenplay gives him no interiority to play against.

David Dhawan’s Direction Feels Stuck in a Time Warp

There’s a craft to Dhawan’s chaos that younger directors simply don’t possess, the way he stages a crowded frame, the rhythm of a door-slamming gag, the confidence in letting a joke breathe. That strength is visible in the film’s better stretches, particularly a hospital sequence involving Dr. Gulati (Chunky Panday) that plays like vintage Dhawan.

But the screenplay’s structure is a mess of convenience. Characters appear and disappear based on plot necessity, and the central conflict, Jass’s inability to choose between two women, feels manufactured rather than earned.

One specific flaw: a second-act misunderstanding that could be resolved with a single phone call is stretched across twenty minutes of contrived near-misses. It’s the kind of lazy writing that assumes audiences won’t notice the holes if the music is loud enough.

The Romantic Comedy Machinery Grinds Loudly

As a romantic comedy, the film leans heavily on the “will he choose wrong” tension, but the chemistry between Varun Dhawan and both leading ladies never catches fire. Mrunal Thakur’s Baani gets the more grounded arc, while Pooja Hegde’s Preet is reduced to a walking punchline.

The comedy track with Maniesh Paul’s Kunnu provides intermittent relief, but the jokes land with the predictability of a sitcom laugh track. The film’s best comedic beat is a silent reaction shot from Chunky Panday that reminds you what a master of the genre he once was.

There’s no scene that truly surprises you, no moment where the film transcends its own formula. The romantic beats are serviceable, the comedy is functional, and the drama is almost nonexistent.

Supporting Cast Carries the Real Weight

Chunky Panday’s Dr. Gulati is the film’s secret weapon, his deadpan delivery and impeccable timing in the hospital scenes elevate every frame he occupies. Jimmy Sheirgill’s Jogi Randhawa brings a welcome edge to the proceedings, playing the antagonist with a restraint that the film’s lead lacks.

Mouni Roy’s Rasmalai is pure caricature, but she commits to the bit with enough energy to make it work. Maniesh Paul’s Kunnu is the classic sidekick, and while the role is underwritten, Paul’s natural likeability keeps the character from becoming annoying.

The casting signals Dhawan’s intent to bridge generations, veterans like Panday and Sheirgill provide the gravitas that the younger leads can’t quite muster.

The film opened to ₹7.50 crore on day one, according to Hindustan Times, and collected ₹40.24 crore in its first week as reported by Koimoi. It finished around ₹73.81 crore worldwide by day 12, a decent haul that reflects the star power rather than the critical reception.

Rotten Tomatoes currently holds the film at a 4.3 average critic rating, which feels generous for a film this formulaic. The audience score tells a similar story, this is a film for fans of the genre and the star, not for anyone seeking innovation.

There’s no political controversy here, no social message, no attempt at relevance. This is pure, unapologetic commercial cinema, and for a certain segment of the audience, that’s exactly what they want. For everyone else, it’s a reminder that nostalgia isn’t a substitute for craft.

If you’re a die-hard Varun Dhawan fan or someone who genuinely misses the 2000s rom-com template, you’ll find something to enjoy. The film knows its audience and delivers exactly what they expect.

Watch it on a lazy Sunday afternoon with low expectations, preferably in a regular theatre where the crowd’s laughter can mask the script’s shortcomings. It’s not a waste of time, but it’s not a priority either.

Browse more Hindi Romance reviews for films that actually earn their laughs.

Verdict: A Nostalgic Throwback That Forgets to Evolve

Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is a film that knows exactly what it wants to be, a reminder of a simpler era of Bollywood entertainment. It succeeds on those terms, but in 2026, that’s simply not enough.

For fans of the genre, there’s genuine comfort in the familiarity. For everyone else, it’s a 2.5 out of 5 experience, watchable, occasionally amusing, and entirely forgettable.

If you enjoyed this retro romance, check out Dharpakad review for a thriller that tackles modern anxieties with sharper intent.

For a more earnest take on relationships, Krishna Aur verdict offers the emotional weight this film lacks entirely.