The David Dhawan Film Festival, hosted by PVR INOX in Mumbai, turned into more than just a celebration of the filmmaker’s 40-year journey—it became a candid, headline-making discussion on Bollywood’s biggest hits and most surprising failures. The event honoured legendary director David Dhawan, widely known as the “King of Comedy,” while also serving as a promotional showcase for his final film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.
In a live conversation with his son Varun Dhawan, David Dhawan openly reflected on the unpredictable nature of the film industry and surprisingly revisited one of Bollywood’s most talked-about box office disappointments—Kalank, directed by Karan Johar. Without holding back, Dhawan described the mega-budget project and its expectations in blunt terms, sparking widespread discussion across the industry.
Speaking about the film, Dhawan said, “Varun did a massive film—I mean, Karan had poured everything into it; he had literally staked his last shirt on it.” The remark, though observational in tone, was widely interpreted as a pointed comment on the scale of ambition behind Kalank, which featured a star-studded ensemble including Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit, Aditya Roy Kapur, Alia Bhatt, and Sonakshi Sinha.
Dhawan further added another revealing anecdote from the film’s making, recalling a conversation with Sanjay Dutt: “I even asked Sanjay Dutt, ‘Why did you do this film?’ He replied, ‘Because of Madhuri Dixit. Sanjay was actually quite upset while working on that film.’” The comment drew reactions from fans, as it touched upon the behind-the-scenes tension surrounding the high-profile project that ultimately underperformed at the box office despite massive expectations.
The veteran filmmaker went on to broaden his point about the unpredictability of cinema, stating, “The film industry operates on the law of averages. If you calculate the statistics, you’ll see that the average success rate has always been—and remains—what it is.” His remarks highlighted how even big budgets, major stars, and acclaimed directors cannot guarantee box office success in today’s volatile market.
Dhawan also reflected on Varun Dhawan’s early journey in the industry, recalling the emotional response to his debut film. He shared, “There was one particular film of his that really left me feeling depressed. He had been doing well; even regarding his very first film—when it was released, I went to see it. I remember he was feeling a bit apprehensive, but when I watched the climax—I told him, ‘Brother, you’ve nailed it! You’ve hit a home run.’”
He further revealed a heartfelt memory involving industry legend Amitabh Bachchan, saying that after the film’s release, a message arrived describing Varun as “a horse built for the long race.” Dhawan called it a moment of relief and validation for the young actor’s career.
While the discussion briefly touched controversies and failures, the overall tone of the festival remained celebratory. The event ultimately served as a tribute to David Dhawan’s unmatched contribution to Hindi cinema, with his retirement marking the end of an era. His final film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, starring Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur, is now being positioned as his farewell to a remarkable filmmaking legacy.
As Bollywood reflects on Dhawan’s candid remarks, the conversation around Kalank and big-budget filmmaking has once again been reignited—proving that even decades later, David Dhawan still knows how to spark headlines.
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