Varun Dhawan’s latest romantic comedy, “Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai,” directed by David Dhawan, opened in theaters on June 5, 2026. The film, which also stars Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, has received lukewarm reviews and has faced challenges at the box office.
**Box Office Performance**
On its opening day, “Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai” earned ₹7.50 crore net in India, marking one of Varun Dhawan’s lowest Day 1 collections. This figure is lower than his previous solo releases, such as “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari” (₹10 crore) and “Baby John” (₹11.25 crore). Notably, the film’s opening day numbers are comparable to those of his debut film, “Student of the Year,” released 14 years ago. The film was released in over 2,500 screens across India, yet it experienced weak occupancy throughout the day, with morning shows at just 9% and night shows maxing out at 30%, resulting in an overall sub-20% occupancy rate.
**Critical Reception**
Critics have been critical of the film’s narrative and execution. The storyline, which revolves around a young married couple facing differences over family planning, leading to separation and new complications in love, has been described as lacking depth and originality. The film’s humor and emotional moments have been noted as forced, failing to engage the audience effectively. ([filmibeat.com](https://www.filmibeat.com/bollywood/box-office/2026/hai-jawani-toh-ishq-hona-hai-box-office-collection-hit-or-flop-budget-records-all-about-varun-film-519575.html?utm_source=openai))
**Cast and Crew**
Directed by David Dhawan, the film marks his fourth collaboration with his son, Varun Dhawan, known for delivering family-friendly entertainers. The cast includes Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde in leading roles, with supporting performances by Maniesh Paul, Chunky Panday, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Mouni Roy. The film’s music is composed by White Noise Collectives, Tanishk Bagchi, Rony Ajnali, Gill Machhrai, Javed-Mohsin, Akshay & IP. ([filmibeat.com](https://www.filmibeat.com/bollywood/box-office/2026/hai-jawani-toh-ishq-hona-hai-box-office-collection-hit-or-flop-budget-records-all-about-varun-film-519575.html?utm_source=openai))
**Conclusion**
“Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai” has faced a challenging start at the box office, with its opening day collection being one of Varun Dhawan’s lowest. The film’s critical reception has been underwhelming, and its performance in theaters reflects the audience’s lukewarm response. As the film continues its run, it remains to be seen whether it can recover and attract a larger audience.
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