Varun Dhawan’s latest rom-com Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai has wrapped its opening weekend with a total of Rs 23.75 crore nett in India. The David Dhawan-directed film, which also stars Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, saw a slight jump on Sunday after a relatively flat start, but industry insiders say the real test begins now.
The Numbers Game
The film opened on Friday with Rs 7.75 crore, followed by a small dip on Saturday to Rs 7.50 crore. Sunday brought some relief, collecting Rs 8.50 crore — a growth of about 8 to 10 percent over the previous day. While the Sunday bump is encouraging, the overall weekend number is being viewed as average for a Varun Dhawan starter, especially given his track record of bigger openers.
Sources close to the production reveal that the makers had hoped for a stronger start, but the current figures are in line with trends for medium-budget romantic comedies in the post-pandemic era. The film’s performance over the weekdays will be crucial, as many such films tend to see sharp drops from Monday onward.
The Sunny Sanskari Comparison
Interestingly, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is tracking very similarly to Varun’s previous release, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. That film had a comparable opening weekend and eventually finished its theatrical run with around Rs 60 crore. If the current film follows the same trajectory, it could end up in that ballpark. However, with competition from new releases expected in the coming weeks, sustaining momentum will be key.
Another talking point is that Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is reportedly the final directorial venture of David Dhawan, the veteran filmmaker known for iconic comedies like Judwaa and Coolie No. 1. If true, the film carries added nostalgic weight, though that hasn’t yet translated into a bumper opening.
Rom-Coms and the Streaming Challenge
The box office numbers also reflect a broader challenge facing romantic comedies and mid-scale films in Indian theatres. Industry experts point out that the rise of streaming platforms has significantly changed audience behaviour. With many films arriving on OTT within weeks of their theatrical release, a chunk of the target audience prefers to wait and watch from home rather than buying tickets. This trend has hit rom-coms harder than big-ticket action or spectacle films.
Still, the weekend number is not a disaster. If word-of-mouth picks up and the film holds well in the weekdays, it could still have a decent run. For now, all eyes are on Monday’s figures to see whether Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai can build on its Rs 23.75 crore start or whether it will fade into a typical mid-range performer.