Bollywood trade circles and eager fans are driving intense discussions regarding David Dhawan’s highly anticipated directorial venture ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.’ As the theatrical release date approaches, widespread rumours have flooded the internet claiming that the upcoming film is a modern-day remake of Salman Khan’s 1999 blockbuster Biwi No. 1 or Govinda’s 2006 comedy Sandwich. Addressing these speculations head-on, production powerhouse Tips Films issued a formal public notice on Saturday, May 16, 2026, to clarify the film’s status.
The romantic comedy, which stars Varun Dhawan, Pooja Hegde, and Mrunal Thakur, remains on track for a major theatrical debut on June 5, 2026. With anticipation riding high across the industry, the producers want to ensure audiences know exactly what to expect before they buy their tickets.
Reports leaking details about the movie’s soundtrack recently intensified speculation surrounding the plot. The film came under intense scrutiny from fans after they noticed the inclusion of a remixed version of the iconic track “Chunnari Chunnari” from Biwi No. 1. Moviegoers immediately drew parallels between the chaotic, double-trouble love triangle layout shown in early promotional assets and David Dhawan’s older hit comedies.
Netizens quickly took to social media platforms to debate whether the Varun Dhawan-starrer serves as an official adaptation. Featuring Varun Dhawan entangled between two leading ladies, the narrative naturally invites comparisons to classic David Dhawan blockbusters that successfully utilized the “one hero, two heroines” formula.
To eliminate any growing confusion among distributors, trade analysts, and moviegoers, Tips Films released an official public statement on Saturday afternoon. The production house firmly denies all rumours of the movie being a remake, asserting that the creative team developed the narrative completely from scratch.
“It has come to our attention that there are discussions in the trade and amongst the public regarding our film, ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’. Tips, Ramesh Taurani Ji, David Dhawan Ji, along with the cast and crew, would like to clarify that the Film is an original story and screenplay and bears no resemblance to any other film,” the notice stated.
The statement further emphasized the dedication of the team, adding, “We have poured our hearts into making this Film and sincerely look forward to welcoming audiences to cinemas on 5th June for a fun-filled family experience.”
The remake controversy coincides with a broader legal debate over the film’s musical tracks. Recently, the court granted interim protection to Pooja Entertainment in a lawsuit against Tips Industries concerning the exploitation of classic film catalogs. The dispute involves older Bollywood staples like Coolie No. 1, Hero No. 1, and Biwi No. 1.
While the legal battle directly concerns the proposed release and song exploitation within Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Tips clarifies that they legally own the music rights through valid agreements sustained for nearly 30 years. The production house maintains that these ongoing legal discussions will not hinder the scheduled theatrical rollout of the movie.
With the air cleared, the promotional campaign enters its final lap. Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai holds a prime spot on the 2026 box office calendar, serving as the first major Hindi film to hit theaters immediately after the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The makers originally rescheduled the movie to avoid a box office clash, but reclaimed the June 5 slot after the postponement of the pan-India film Toxic.
Veteran comedy filmmaker David Dhawan returns to the director’s chair after a brief hiatus, aiming to revive the classic, energetic Bollywood rom-com era with a completely fresh script that provides a wholesome experience for family audiences.
By explicitly denying any connection to Biwi No. 1 or Sandwich, David Dhawan and Ramesh Taurani promise an entirely fresh cinematic experience for family audiences this summer. Fans can now look forward to an original comedy of errors when the curtains rise next month.
