Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Movie Review: Varun Dhawan’s energy keeps this comedy afloat

Story: Jass and Bani's conflicting priorities push their marriage toward a chaotic separation, sparking double romances, unexpected complications and a whirlwind of confusion.Review: David Dhawan’s cinema has always thrived on chaos that serves entertainment. From mistaken identities and love triangles to loud supporting characters and improbable coincidences, his films have rarely aimed for realism. Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai (HJTIHH) stays firmly within that familiar territory, offering a colourful blend of romance, confusion and comedy that often feels like a throwback to the filmmaker’s golden era. The problem, however, is that nostalgia alone cannot compensate for a story that often struggles to land enough laughs. The film revolves around Jass (Varun Dhawan), an eternally cheerful man whose biggest dream is simple: get married, have children and live happily ever after. He falls for Bani (Mrunal Thakur) at first sight and marries her, convinced that family life is the ultimate destination. But Bani has different aspirations and prioritises her career over motherhood. Their conflicting goals push their five-year marriage to the brink, leading them into a six-month cooling-off period before divorce. During this phase, Jass finds love again in Preet (Pooja Hegde), only for his life to spiral into complete disorder when he discovers he is still legally married and both women are pregnant.On paper, the premise offers plenty of scope for comedy. A man trying to manage two relationships while concealing a rapidly escalating secret recalls films like Garam Masala, sounds tailor-made for a classic David Dhawan entertainer. Yet the screenplay by Yunus Sajawal rarely capitalises on its potential. Several jokes feel stretched, punchlines often miss their mark, and the narrative frequently relies on noise rather than wit. The pace in the first half also seems a tad sluggish. The film fares better in the second half, when the consequences of Jass’ actions begin piling up. The silly situations become more entertaining, and the chaos finally starts generating genuine laughs. Much of this is driven by Varun Dhawan, who throws himself wholeheartedly into the role. Channelling shades of Govinda, Shah Rukh Khan and his own energetic screen persona, Varun keeps the film afloat even when the writing lets him down. His comic timing remains sharp, and he appears completely at ease in exaggerated universe. Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde bring glamour and charm to their respective roles, but neither character is developed beyond the surface, leaving both actresses with little opportunity to make a lasting impression. Among the supporting cast, Maniesh Paul emerges as one of the film’s strongest assets. His comic exchanges provide some of the funniest moments in the film. Cameos by Johny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Ali Asgar, Manoj Pahwa, Chunky Pandey and Rakesh Bedi deliver exactly what is expected of them, nothing beyond. Jimmy Shergill also adds some fun as the fiercely protective brother whose presence constantly threatens to expose Jass’ secrets. Mouni Roy’s brief appearance as Jass’ mother comes as a surprise but adds little to the narrative.The reprised Chunnari Chunnari – Let’s Go is catchy, while the title track is infectious and cleverly woven into the narrative. Wow stands out thanks to Varun Dhawan’s energy fuelled dance moves.While HJTIHH offers a handful of laughs, catchy songs and a committed central performance from Varun Dhawan, its weak writing prevents it from recreating the effortless charm and rewatch value of David Dhawan’s classic comedies. If you are a fan of crazy madcap humour this one might work for you.