Bidding adieu to direction in Bollywood films, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is director David Dhawan’s last film (as announced by him). Instead, this film falls much below expectations compared to David Dhawan’s debut film Aankhen (highest grosser of 1993). Similarly it is nowhere near Biwi No 1, Shola Aur Shabnam, Saajan Chale Sasural, Haseena Maan Jaayegi and the long list of his super hit films.
Probably planned as a energy booster to his son Varun Dhawan’s career, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is about Jass (Varun Dhawan and Bani (Mrunal Thakur) who are a married couple yet have disagreements on family planning. This leads to their marriage falling apart. A professional marriage photographer, Jass moves abroad to start fresh and finds new romance, but things get complicated. Consequently the subject could have explored real relationship issues — but the film keeps things shallow.
Still in the 90s comedy mindset – Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai
Instead, the film relies heavily on stale, outdated comedy and attempts to create comic situations lifting sequences from Saajan Chale Sasural, Garam Masala and other past hits. Except for the female leads, Varun Dhawan and Maniesh Paul overact. In fact, the initial half hour or so leaves you dull and wishing to quit watching. However the film picks up in the second half and even the illogical climax makes you feel waste of time and money. Despite energetic performances from the female leads, the jokes and humour attempted by Varun Dhawan and his buddy consistently fail to land.
Well, if one has just to while away the time on some pretext, and if you are willing to watch something illogical and unpractical, then there are moments of ‘lighthearted’ entertainment. Most of the comic situations fall flat, yet the experienced director somewhat manages to hook your attention with some unexpected twists and surprises.
Mrunal Thakur, Pooja Hegde overshadow Varun
Varun Dhawan delivers his trademark energy, with his comic timing working only at some instances. Rest of the time one gets the feeling that he acts over the top. Maniesh Paul displays some sharp comic talent, yet the sequence of acting like a girl irritates the viewer.
It is the girls that overshadow Varun and Maniesh. Mrunal Thakur as Baani brings a layered presence. She is sensuous on screen yet convincingly embodies the modern, career-oriented woman, adding some depth to the chaos. Unfortunately, her character isn’t given enough scope to fully shine. Pooja Hegde charms with her beauty and sex appeal, though her role leans heavily on glamour rather than substance. Still, she succeeds in keeping viewers invested whenever she appears.
Like watching Insta reels
The film lacks cohesion, with scattered editing and abrupt scene shifts. For over 2 hours and 18 minutes the film feels more like an endless scroll of Instagram reels than a narrative, leaving the pacing fragmented and stripping away emotional depth.
Mr David Dhawan, we expected something at least on the standards of your earlier comic thrillers. The superb coming timings of Govinda and Chunky Pandey in Aankhen, or even the Govinda and Sanjay Dutt escapades in Ek Aur Ek Gyaarah. Similarly you could have created something like the iconic Raja Babu and Hero No 1 (Govinda and Karishma Kapoor). Where is your magic?
Cast of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai:
Varun Dhawan as Jass Ahuja
Mrunal Thakur as Baani
Pooja Hegde as Preet
Maniesh Paul as Kunnu (Jass’s close buddy)
Chunky Panday as Dr Gulati (Gynecologist)
Jimmy Sheirgill as Jogi Randhawa (Preet’s Brother)
Rajesh Kumar as Ghuggi
Mouni Roy as Rasmalai
Ali Asgar as Judge
Rakesh Bedi as (Dr Gulati’s assistant)
Kubbra Sait as Dr Smita
Rajpal Yadav as Mishra (Jass’s school teacher)
Johny Lever as Godbole (Jass’s school teacher)
Manoj Pahwa as Shukla (Jass’s school teacher)
Ayesha Raza Mishra as Jass’s mother
Kriti Sanon (Cameo appearance)
De De Pyaar De 2
Credits of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai:
Production companies – Tips Films, Maximilian Films (UK)
Produced by Ramesh Taurani, Gaurav Bose
Directed by David Dhawan
Written by Yunus Sajawal
Dialogues by Farhad Samji
Cinematography – Ayananka Bose
Edited by Ritesh Soni
Songs: White Noise Collectives, Tanishk Bagchi, Javed–Mohsin, Rony Ajnali, Gill Machhrai, Akshay–IP
