The first look of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai has finally arrived, but instead of pure excitement, it has triggered a wave of mixed reactions online. The Varun Dhawan-starrer quickly grabbed attention for its quirky concept, but many viewers believe it looks strikingly similar to older Bollywood formulas.
Released on April 14, the video introduces Varun Dhawan in a dual-role setup, juggling romance with both Pooja Hegde and Mrunal Thakur. While the makers pitched it as a fun entertainer, social media users were quick to draw comparisons with Govinda’s 2006 film Sandwich.
Varun Dhawan Starrer Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai First Look Divides Internet
The Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai teaser opens with two babies talking about their parents, only to realise both their fathers share the same name—Jass, played by Varun. The story then shifts to a chaotic love life, where his character is seen romancing two women at the same time.
Sharing the video, Varun wrote, “#HaiJawaniTohIshqHonaHai a David Dhawan entertainer. First look out now! #redflag in cinemas on 22nd May 2026.”
However, the quirky tone did not land well with a section of the audience. Some users even questioned whether AI was used for the toddler scenes. Others directly compared the plot to Sandwich, calling it outdated.
VARUN DHAWAN – MRUNAL THAKUR – POOJA HEGDE: 'HAI JAWANI TOH ISHQ HONA HAI' FIRST LOOK UNVEILED – 22 MAY 2026 RELEASE… Here's the first look of the feel-good, massy entertainer #HaiJawaniTohIshqHonaHai, starring #VarunDhawan, #MrunalThakur, and #PoojaHegde.
🔗:… pic.twitter.com/RHPjtOLVyC— taran adarsh (@taran_adarsh) April 14, 2026DON'T MISS
Have a look at some user comments below:
“Are you serious? 2026 me tum ye bana rhe ho. Varun needs to grow up. Ye cringe fest band kro yaar.”
“Now it’s time for Govinda’s SANDWICH remake.”
“Don’t tell those kids are AI?”
“Remake of Govinda’s #Sandwich.”
“It’s a remake of Govinda film sandwich.”
“Ranvir Singh is doing excellent movies. Varun Dhawan is still where he was 10 years ago. Wasting his potential.”
“90’s formula doesn’t work anymore. Kindly save some money and time by not creating such movies.”
“Sandwitch ka sasta remake!”
About 2006 Film Sandwich
The comparisons come from the familiar storyline of a man stuck between two women. The 2006 film Sandwich, starring Govinda, also revolved around a similar premise where the lead character unknowingly ends up managing two marriages.
In that film, confusion and comedy arise as both families eventually come face-to-face. While Sandwich had a light-hearted tone, it received mixed reviews and failed at the box office.
Because of this resemblance, many feel the new film is revisiting an old concept without much novelty. Some even criticised Bollywood for leaning too heavily on recycled ideas.
About Varun Dhawan Starrer Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai
Despite the criticism, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai remains one of the most talked-about upcoming releases. Directed by David Dhawan, it marks his fourth collaboration with Varun Dhawan.
Apart from the lead trio, the film features Mouni Roy, Rohit Saraf, Jimmy Shergill, Chunky Panday, Maniesh Paul, Rajesh Kumar and Kubbra Sait in key roles.
Set to release in theatres on May 22, the film promises a mix of romance, confusion, and comedy. Whether it manages to win over audiences or continues to face comparisons will become clear after its release.
