Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Review: ★★½☆☆ (2.5/5)
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is a colorful, old-school Bollywood comedy that survives largely on Varun Dhawan’s infectious energy and commitment to the chaos. While the second half delivers a few genuine laughs, the dated humor, weak first act, and predictable storytelling prevent it from becoming more than a mildly entertaining weekend watch.
Rating: ★★½☆☆ (2.5/5)
Released: June 5, 2026
Director: David Dhawan
Cast: Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, Pooja Hegde, Jimmy Shergill, Maniesh Paul, Mouni Roy
When David Dhawan makes a film, you already know what you’re getting. Loud laughs, colorful characters, zero logic, and a hero running between two women while everyone shouts at each other. That’s the deal. That has always been the deal. So when you sit down for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, the real question isn’t whether it’s a masterpiece — it’s whether it still works.
What’s the Story?
Jaswinder, or Jass (Varun Dhawan), is a wedding photographer who married Bani (Mrunal Thakur) after falling for her at her sister’s wedding. Five years later, the marriage is falling apart. Bani doesn’t want children; Jass desperately does. A judge gives them six months before finalizing the divorce, hoping they’ll change their minds. Bani doesn’t budge. A heartbroken Jass moves to London and meets the sweet and cheerful Preet (Pooja Hegde). They fall for each other quickly. Then comes the chaos — Bani shows up one day with pregnancy news. On the same day, Preet does too. Jass is now, somehow, about to become a father twice over, with two women who don’t know about each other.
It’s a concept borrowed loosely from the 1984 Hollywood comedy Micki & Maude, and honestly, it’s the kind of premise that only David Dhawan can package with this kind of audacity.
The Good Stuff
Let’s give credit where it’s due. Varun Dhawan is a one-man show here. Even when the writing lets him down — which it does, plenty of times — he just keeps going, full energy, full commitment, no sign of embarrassment. He’s funny when the jokes are funny and watchable even when they’re not. That’s not easy, and it shows his growth as a mainstream entertainer.
Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde both hold their own. David Dhawan presents them glamorously, but to their credit, they bring warmth and timing to roles that could easily have been thankless. Mrunal especially makes Bani someone you actually care about, even amid all the madness.
The second half picks up considerably. The dialogue by Farhad Samji starts landing better, some scenes are genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, and the whole thing moves at a pace that doesn’t give you time to overthink. Mouni Roy appears in a fun supporting role and adds a nice jolt of energy whenever she’s on screen.
Songs like Chunari Chunari and Wow are peppy and well-mounted. The film looks polished throughout — bright, well-shot, and every frame screams big Bollywood entertainer.
Also Read: Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Cast Salary and Movie Budget Revealed
Where It Doesn’t Work
The first half is a struggle. The jokes don’t land early on. For the first 20 or so minutes, you’re sitting there waiting for the fun to arrive. It feels like the screenplay needed another draft — some scenes drag, others feel like leftovers from better films in the same genre.
The climax also wraps up a bit too neatly and quickly for a story that spent so long building up the mess. There was room for much more chaos, and the film just… doesn’t go there.
Critics have also pointed out that at its core, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai feels dated. The values feel old. The setup feels familiar. If you’ve seen Garam Masala, Saajan Chale Sasural, or Main Tera Hero, you’ll recognize the DNA immediately.
Similar Read: Maa Behen Review: Madhuri & Tripti Are Absolutely Brilliant in Netflix’s Dark Comedy
Flickonclick Verdict
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai isn’t a great film. But it’s not trying to be one, and at least it’s honest about that. It’s a breezy, colorful, family-friendly comedy that delivers enough laughs — mostly in the second half — to justify a weekend outing with people who enjoy this kind of uncomplicated fun. Varun Dhawan alone makes it worth something.
If you love old-school David Dhawan entertainers and don’t mind switching your brain off for a couple of hours, you’ll probably walk out smiling. If you’re hoping for something fresh or original, this isn’t the film for you.