David Dhawan (born Rajinder Dhawan; 16 August 1951) is an Indian former film director of Hindi films. A member of the Dhawan family, he has directed 46 films. The 1993 action thriller and 1999 comedy Biwi No.1 earned him nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Director.

His notable works include Swarg (1990), Shola Aur Shabnam, Bol Radha Bol (both 1992), Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No.1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Judwaa, Hero No. 1, Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi, Deewana Mastana (all 1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999), Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000), Chal Mere Bhai (2000), Jodi No.1 (2001), Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005), Partner (2007), Chashme Baddoor (2013), Main Tera Hero (2014), Judwaa 2 (2017), and Coolie No. 1 (2020).

Early life David Dhawan was born on 16 August 1951 as Rajinder Dhawan in Agartala, Tripura in to a Punjabi family. His father, a manager in UCO Bank, got transferred to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh. He studied in Christ Church College and BNSD Inter College until Class XII, and then joined FTII for acting, where he changed his name to David Dhawan, a pet name given by his Jew neighbours in Agartala. Seeing other actors like Satish Shah and Suresh Oberoi, Dhawan realised that he could not act. So he took up editing instead. He became a fan of Manmohan Desai and Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Watching the Bengali film Meghe Dhaka Tara, directed by Ritwik Ghatak, inspired him to pursue filmmaking and passed with a gold medal. Dhawan has two brothers, actors Anil and Ashok.

Career Dhawan started off as an editor in Saaransh in 1984 before moving into directing. His first film was Taaqatwar (1989). He specialises in directing comedy films. His 1993 film Aankhen, starring Govinda, Chunky Pandey and Kader Khan, was highly successful at the box office, and earned him his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director. Another successful film was Shola Aur Shabnam. His 2007 film Partner was successful.

Dhawan is on the board of Asian Academy of Film & Television and Asian School of Media Studies where he has been honoured with an academy award by Sandeep Marwah. He was a judge on the Star Plus show Nach Baliye 3 in 2008 and on the show Hans Baliye.

Work with Govinda Dhawan first teamed with actor Govinda for the film Taaqatwar (1989). He then formed a collaboration with Govinda and directed 18 films with him as the leading actor, including Swarg (1990), Shola Aur Shabnam (1992), (1993), Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Banarasi Babu (1997), Deewana Mastana (1997), Hero No. 1 (1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999), Kunwara (2000), Jodi No.1 (2001), Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta (2001), Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003), Partner (2007) and Do Knot Disturb (2009). Partner, which also starred Salman Khan, grossed Rs. 300 Million in India on its opening week, the second highest domestic opening week gross for an Indian film at that time. Dhawan also collaborated with Khan in Biwi No.1 (1999), which emerged as a critical and commercial success, and earned Dhawan his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director. Dhawan got back to the trio of Govinda, Ritesh Deshmukh and himself with the film, Do Knot Disturb.

Retirement In an early 2026 interview, Dhawan said that ]]Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai]] would be his last film as a director.

Personal life Dhawan is married to Karuna Dhawan (née Chopra), with whom he has two sons, Rohit Dhawan and Varun Dhawan. His brother is actor Anil Dhawan and nephew is actor Siddharth Dhawan.

Filmography

Year Film Notes 1989TaaqatwarGola BaroodAag Ka Gola Jurrat Remake of The Untouchables 1990Swarg Inspired by MehrbanAandhiyanRemake of Doorian 1992Shola Aur ShabnamBol Radha Bol1993 Inspired by Anubavi Raja Anubavi 1994Raja Babu Inspired by RasukuttyEena Meena Deeka Inspired by Three Fugitives Remake of Sundara Kandam 1995Yaraana Based on Sleeping with the EnemyCoolie No. 1 Remake of Sinna Mapplai 1996Loafer Remake of Velai KidaichuduchuSaajan Chale Sasural Remake of Allari Mogudu 1997Mr and Mrs Khiladi Remake of Aa Okkati AdakkuBanarasi Babu Inspired by The Taming of the Shrew and Pattikada PattanamaJudwaa Remake of Hello BrotherDeewana Mastana Inspired by What About Bob?Hero No. 1 Inspired by Galpo Holeo Satti 1998Gharwali Baharwali Remake of Thaikulame ThaikulameBade Miyan Chote Miyan Inspired by Bhranti Bilas and Bad Boys 1999Biwi No.1 Remake of Sathi LeelavathiHaseena Maan Jaayegi Inspired by Pyar Kiye Jaa 2000Dulhan Hum Le JayengeInspired by Ek Phool Char KanteKunwara Remake of Bavagaru Bagunnara?Chal Mere Bhai 2001Jodi No.1Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta Inspired by Liar Liar 2002Chor Machaaye Shor Remake of Blue StreakHum Kisise Kum Nahin Inspired by Analyze ThisYeh Hai Jalwa Inspired by Carbon Copy2003Ek Aur Ek GyarahRemake of Phool Aar Pathar 2004Mujhse Shaadi KarogiInspired by Anger Management 2005Shaadi No. 1 Remake of Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu; also appeared as himself (opening credits sequence)Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? Adaptation of Cactus Flower 2007Partner Based on Hitch 2009Do Knot Disturb Remake of The Valet 2011RascalsRemake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels2013Chashme Buddoor Remake of Chashme Buddoor2014Main Tera Hero Remake of Kandireega 2017Judwaa 2 Remake of his own Judwaa 2020 Coolie No. 1 Remake of his own Coolie No. 12026Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Marks the final direction venture.

Awards and nominations

Year Film Award Ceremony Category Result 1994 Filmfare Awards Best Director 2000Biwi No.1 Best Film 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award

References

External links