About:
Varun Dhawan (born 24 April 1987) is a prominent Indian actor known for his work in Hindi films. Recognized as one of India’s highest-paid actors, he has been featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2014. Between 2012 and 2018, he starred in 11 consecutive box-office hits.
Son of film director David Dhawan, Varun graduated in business studies from Nottingham Trent University. He began his career as an assistant director for Karan Johar’s film “My Name Is Khan” (2010) and made his acting debut in Johar’s teen drama “Student of the Year” (2012). He gained popularity with roles in romantic comedies like “Main Tera Hero” (2014), “Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania” (2014), and “Badrinath Ki Dulhania” (2017), as well as action comedies such as “Dilwale” (2015), “Dishoom” (2016), and “Judwaa 2” (2017). He also starred in the dance film “ABCD 2” (2015) and the drama “Sui Dhaaga” (2018).
Dhawan has received acclaim for playing against type in films like the thriller “Badlapur” (2015) and the drama “October” (2018). After a series of critical and commercial failures, he made a comeback with “Jugjugg Jeeyo” and “Bhediya” in 2022.
Early Life
Varun Dhawan was born on 24 April 1987 to David Dhawan and Karuna Dhawan in a Punjabi Hindu family. His elder brother, Rohit Dhawan, is also a film director. Varun completed his HSC education at H.R. College of Commerce and Economics and holds a degree in business studies from Nottingham Trent University, UK. Before his acting career, he worked as an assistant director on “My Name Is Khan” (2010).
Career
2012–2014: Early Success
Varun debuted in “Student of the Year” (2012), playing Rohan Nanda. Critics praised his performance, and the film was a commercial success, grossing ₹1.09 billion. He then starred in the romantic comedy “Main Tera Hero” (2014), directed by his father, which was another commercial hit. His next film, “Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania” (2014), was also successful, earning ₹1.11 billion worldwide.
2015–2018: Established Actor
In 2015, Dhawan played a vengeful father in “Badlapur,” earning a Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actor. He also starred in the dance film “ABCD 2” (2015) and the ensemble action drama “Dilwale” (2015), both of which were commercial successes. He continued his streak with “Dishoom” (2016), “Badrinath Ki Dulhania” (2017), and “Judwaa 2” (2017). Forbes noted his consistent box office success, establishing him as a Bollywood superstar.
In 2018, Dhawan starred in “October” and “Sui Dhaaga,” receiving praise for his performances. “October” earned him a Filmfare Critics Award nomination for Best Actor.
2019–Present: Career Fluctuations
Dhawan’s 2019 film “Kalank” received mixed reviews, but his performance was appreciated. In 2020, he appeared in “Street Dancer 3D” and “Coolie No. 1,” both of which did not perform well. In 2022, he starred in “Jugjugg Jeeyo” and “Bhediya,” regaining some box office success. In 2023, he starred in “Bawaal,” which faced criticism for its portrayal of historical events.
Upcoming projects include the action film “Baby John,” the Indian spin-off of “Citadel,” and the romantic comedy “Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari.”
Personal Life and Other Work
Varun Dhawan married fashion designer Natasha Dalal on 24 January 2021. Besides acting, he performs on stage and has hosted several award ceremonies. Dhawan is also involved in philanthropy and brand endorsements.
Media Image
Dhawan is known for his versatility and commercial appeal. He has been featured in Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2014 and was named one of the 50 most influential young people by GQ India in 2018. He endorses several brands, including Fossil Watches, Navratna Cool, and Maruti Suzuki Arena.