At one point, Varun Dhawan had an enviable track record and for nearly 6 ½ years, he didn’t give a single flop. A few of his films like ABCD – Any Body Can Dance – 2 (2015), Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017) and Judwaa 2 (2017) were even Rs. 100 crore grossers. However, things changed after Kalank (2019). JugJugg Jeeyo (2022), Bhediya (2022) and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari (2025) underperformed while Baby John (2024) bombed at the box office. Now, all eyes are on his next, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, and whether it will also cross the Rs. 100 crore mark.
Trade analyst Atul Mohan said, “It all depends on the content. All the contemporaries of Varun have attempted a film in this zone. Rajkummar was seen in Vicky Vidya Ka Woh Wala Video (2024) and Bhool Chuk Maaf (2025). Ayushmann Khurrana’s Pati Patni Aur Woh Do (2026) was released recently. Varun also did Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari and JugJugg Jeeyo; the latter also starred Maniesh Paul. This film also seems to have a similar template, that of a family, timepass entertainer.”
He added, “At the same time, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai also has an advantage since it’s a family film. Bhooth Bangla was also a family entertainer and it got appreciated and even worked at the box office. Apart from that, most of the films which recently been released were heavy. Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai seems like a light film and so, it ticks many boxes.”
Girish Johar, producer and film business analyst, noted, “It all depends on the start and word of mouth for the film. In today’s time, a film like Obsession with no poster or trailer can run house full at the box office. Hence, anything is possible! So, it all depends on how the audience takes on to the film.”
Distributor and exhibitor Raj Bansal said, “I wish the film works for Varun. Woh accha actor hai aur ek accha insaan bhi. However, A lifetime of Rs. 100 crore lifetime looks difficult. Moreover, his last few releases were not the right choices. Badrinath Ki Dulhania and Judwaa 2 were correct and that’s why they worked. But his choices after that were not.”
Taran Adarsh explained, “It all depends on the content. I hope it happens as it’s important for the survival and health of the industry.”
He continued, “Varun is returning after Border 2 (2026). So, it’s a huge responsibility. Of course, Border 2 was not placed on his shoulders. The first person that comes to mind when the name of the film is mentioned is, of course, Sunny Deol. No offence to other actors. They were all good in their respective parts and Varun especially was exceptional. Having said that, this is a solo film for Varun and hence, it’s an important one for him. Since the time I can remember, solo hero films have been yardstick to gauge the potential of a star at the box office. In the 70s, a lot of multi-starrers were being made and the credit would get divided among all stars. Of course, people had their favourites, but at the same time, every actor would be held responsible for the success or even the failure of a film.”
He also stated, “So, when an actor’s solo film would work, as it happened often with Mr Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ajay Devgn, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh etc., it places a solid responsibility on your shoulders to deliver those numbers as the stakes would be very high. So, Varun must have a double-digit opening as its very important. I don’t know how they are going to achieve it. I hope the word of mouth is good and the walk-ins on day 1 are equally euphoric.”
Taran further said, “He has the quality (to deliver a huge number). I don’t understand why there has been a sudden drop (in the performance of his films). Look at his contemporaries. Kartik Aaryan has delivered those numbers as a solo actor as well. Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh, of course, are seniors and are much ahead. But what happens is that you get compared to them. And in this comparison, the pressure is so strong and heavy that on Friday, you are nervous. In fact, on Wednesday or Thursday itself, you are on tenterhooks. Moreover, here, the father and son are together. Often, one can say ‘Director ko samaj mein nahin aaya. Director ne kuch aur bana diya’. But here, you are under one roof! He’s your father and you are his son. On top of that, the father has had a marvellous track record.”
More Pages: Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Box Office Collection
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