Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai (2026) Review!!

Synopsis – When differences over family planning end Jass and Bani’s marriage, Jass begins a new romance abroad, only to become entangled in unexpected secrets and complicated relationships.

My Take – Though comedy remains Hindi cinema’s most dependable genre, few filmmakers command it with the flair of director David Dhawan. At his best, the infectious chaos of his films can soften even the sternest critic, and his latest outing proves no exception.

Teaming up once again with his son Varun Dhawan—after the misfire of Coolie No. 1 (2020)—he revives the spirit of an era where logic gracefully steps aside, allowing a relentless stream of laugh‑out‑loud misunderstandings to take center stage. Wrapped in a slick, contemporary package, the film sees the talented filmmaker return to his comfort zone, delivering exactly what his audience expects: a lighthearted, mass‑friendly entertainer brimming with confusion, humor, and romance.

Sure, it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, nor does it leave the kind of lasting impression his earlier classics managed. Yet it succeeds on its own terms. With moments of genuine fun and a hardworking cast, the film ultimately feels more like a nostalgic throwback than a comedy tailored for today’s sensibilities.

Fans of old‑school Bollywood farce may relish the familiarity, while others could find the humor dated and the storytelling overly predictable.

The story follows Jass Ahuja (Varun Dhawan), a photographer whose whirlwind romance leads to marriage with Baani (Mrunal Thakur). What begins as bliss quickly unravels when Jass insists on starting a family, while Baani, an ambitious CEO, wants to delay motherhood. Their clashing priorities push the marriage to breaking point, landing them in divorce court.

Granted a six‑month cooling‑off period, Jass leaves for London at Baani’s urging to move on. Three months later, fate intervenes when Jass crosses paths with Preet (Pooja Hegde), a woman he once saved from drowning in Rishikesh. Their budding romance is complicated by Preet’s trigger-happy brother, Jogi Randhawa (Jimmy Sheirgill), and his Man Friday, Ghuggi (Rajesh Kumar).

Chaos escalates when both Preet and Baani announce they are pregnant. With two babies on the way from two different women at the same time, Jass, armed only with the loyalty of his best friend Kunnu (Maniesh Paul), scrambles to juggle secrets, lies, and mounting misunderstandings. What follows is a roller coaster of love, drama, and farcical comedy as Jass struggles to keep his double life from collapsing around him.

Most viewers will recall that David Dhawan has long spun tall tales from the chaos of men entangled in two simultaneous relationships. Films like Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Gharwali Baharwali (1998), Biwi No.1 (1999), and Do Knot Disturb (2009) all ran on the same narrative engine, treating bigamy not as a moral failing but as fertile ground for slapstick. His latest effort follows suit.

With a screenplay by Yunus Sajawal and dialogues by Farhad Samji, the film thrives on contrived coincidences and madcap situations, such as both women sharing not only the same gynecologist and hospital but also the same delivery date. Technically, the film bursts with color and energy, featuring lively songs, extravagant wedding sequences, and vibrant visuals.

Yet style often overshadows substance. The narrative leaps from one comic setup to the next without deepening its emotional or dramatic stakes, leaving the experience uneven. Much of the humor leans on familiar formulas, and genuine surprises are rare.

Since the trajectory is easy to predict, the mystery and comic payoff lose their edge. The film generates smiles more often than laughter. Still, it remains faithful to the David Dhawan playbook, delivering exactly what his audience expects: a breezy, mass‑friendly entertainer. For fans of commercial Bollywood farce, it is a satisfying watch, even if it never rises above nostalgia.

Performance wise, Varun Dhawan throws himself wholeheartedly into the role, infusing the film with tremendous energy and enthusiasm. Whether he is sprinting away from trouble or talking his way out of impossible situations, he remains fully committed to the exaggerated tone. His presence keeps the narrative afloat even when the writing begins to sag.

Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde bring strong screen presence as the two women at the heart of the chaos. Though their characters lack depth, both actresses maximize what they are given, adding charm to the lighter moments. Their chemistry with Varun lends warmth to an otherwise predictable storyline. The supporting cast proves to be one of the film’s strongest assets.

Jimmy Shergill shines with his deadpan delivery and commanding aura, while Maniesh Paul delivers his trademark turn as the loyal buddy constantly caught in a fix. Mouni Roy is decent enough, and comedy veterans such as Johny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Manoj Pahwa, Chunky Panday, Rajesh Kumar, and Rakesh Bedi contribute bursts of amusement that keep the film lively. Kriti Sanon and Kubra Sait shine in their cameos. On the whole, ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai‘ is a lighthearted entertainer that sticks to the familiar David Dhawan playbook and delivers exactly what it promises.