Vashu Bhagnani says Varun Dhawan did not call him after 'Coolie No. 1' flopped: 'Suffered loss of Rs 27 crore, he never bothered'

Vashu Bhagnani is currently involved in a legal tiff with filmmaker David Dhawan. The producer, in a recent interaction, stated that the director's son, Varun Dhawan, never checked on him after their last collaboration 'Coolie No. 1' in 2020 failed at the box office. The producer held a virtual press conference to address the legal fight with David Dhawan and the music label 'Tips'.

Vashu Bhagnani opens up on financial losses from ‘Coolie No. 1'

According to an IANS report, the lawsuit filed by Vashu Bhagnani in Katihar, Bihar, centres on the upcoming Bollywood film ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’, starring Varun Dhawan. The latter filed a lawsuit against Tips Industries and associated parties, alleging unauthorised use of intellectual property linked to older hit films like ‘Biwi No. 1'.

Talking about the same, he told the media, “Very honestly, after this case, there is some bitterness in all relationships. But Varun hasn't called me in 2 years anyway. We made ‘Coolie No. 1’ in 2020 and suffered a loss of INR 27 crore; he never even bothered to ask how I was doing. If he maintains the relationship, fine. If not, that's fine too. I lost a lot of money being with him. He is like my child, children make mistakes. Father and son, so be it”.



The immediate trigger behind the lawsuit was the recreated use of the iconic song ‘Chunari Chunari’ from ‘Biwi No.1’.

The producer further mentioned, “My heart is broken. I am not afraid of anyone in this world, not even my father. I am proud that I have never done wrong to anyone. But I am broken because after doing so much, they are making me out to be the thief, the fool. Varun Dhawan is saying these things. David Ji is saying these things. Ramesh Ji too. There is no need for this”.

“We had such a good relationship. Even now I am saying, call them on this call, I will settle it in 10 minutes. But if they don't want to, how can it be settled? They were so confident until 3 days ago: ‘What can Vashu do to us?’”, he added.

Bhagnani claimed that although Tips owned audio rights, the underlying film-linked intellectual property and recreation permissions still required consent or involvement from his side.

More about 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai'

Directed by David Dhawan, the film features Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, and Pooja Hegde. The film has been scheduled to release in cinemas on June 5, 2026.