David Dhawan
{{short description|Indian film director (born 1951)}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}
{{Infobox person
| name = David Dhawan
| image = David Dhawan in 2024.jpg
| caption = Dhawan in 2024
| birth_name = Rajinder Dhawan
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1951|08|16}}
| birth_place = Agartala, Tripura, India
| spouse = Karuna Dhawan
| children = Rohit Dhawan (son)
Varun Dhawan (son)
| occupation = Filmmaker
| relatives = See Dhawan family
}}
David Dhawan (born Rajinder Dhawan; 16 August 1951) is an Indian director of Hindi films. A member of the Dhawan family, he has directed over 42 films. The 1993 action thriller {{lang|hi-latn|Aankhen}} 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, Deewana Mastana (all 1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999), Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (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{{cite news |agency=ANI |title=Varun Dhawan wishes dad David Dhawan on 70th birthday, calls him 'king of comedy'. Watch video |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/varun-dhawan-wishes-dad-david-dhawan-on-70th-birthday-calls-him-king-of-comedy-watch-video-101629127887826.html |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=Hindustan Times |date=16 August 2021 |language=en}}{{cite news |title=David Dhawan Birthday Special: 'Biwi No.1', 'Judwaa' and other hit comedy films of the director |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/bollywood/david-dhawan-birthday-special-biwi-no1-judwaa-and-other-hit-comedy-films-of-the-director |access-date=22 May 2022 |work=Free Press Journal |date=15 August 2021|language=en}} as Rajinder Dhawan in Agartala, Tripura in 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.{{Cite episode|title=David Dhawan & Varun Dhawan|url=https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=L4OPj8dS4HA|access-date=5 February 2025|series=The Anupam Kher Show|last=Kher|first=Anupam|author-link=Anupam Kher|network=Colors TV|date=24 August 2014|season=1|number=8|time=5:10|via=YouTube|language=hi}} Seeing other actors like Satish Shah and Suresh Oberoi, Dhawan realised that he cannot act. So he took up editing as an option. He became a fan of Manmohan Desai and Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Watching the Bengali film Meghe Dhaka Tara, directed by Ritwik Ghatak, made him interested in filmmaking and passed with a gold medal.{{cite news |last1=Gupta |first1=Priya |title=Govinda is a delight for the director: David Dhawan |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/govinda-is-a-delight-for-the-director-david-dhawan/articleshow/19322624.cms |work=The Times of India |date=2 April 2013 |access-date=3 January 2021}}{{cite news |title=Govinda blasts David Dhawan: I did 17 films with him. Even his son Varun will not do that |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/bollywood/story/govinda-blasts-david-dhawan-i-did-17-films-with-him-even-his-son-varun-will-not-do-that-1575198-2019-07-30 |access-date=3 January 2021 |work=India Today |date=30 July 2019 |language=en}} Dhawan has two brothers, actor Anil and Ashok.
Career
Dhawan{{Cite news|url=http://www.news18.com/news/movies/david-dhawan-thinks-its-very-feasible-for-hindi-film-makers-to-shoot-abroad-1104929.html|title=David Dhawan thinks it's very feasible for Hindi film makers to shoot abroad|date=20 September 2015|work=News18|access-date=20 September 2015}} started off as an editor in Saaransh in 1984 before moving into directing. He specialises in directing comedy films.{{cite web|title=David Dhawan > Biography|url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/artists/David-Dhawan/biography-3471.html|publisher=Yahoo! Movies|access-date=7 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090919110941/http://in.movies.yahoo.com/artists/David-Dhawan/biography-3471.html|archive-date=19 September 2009|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web |title=Box Office 2007 |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw== |publisher=BoxofficeIndia.com |access-date=7 December 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115223235/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=214&catName=MjAwNw%3D%3D |archive-date=15 January 2013}}
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{{cite news |last1=Shah |first1=Kunal M. |title=The secret is out! |url=https://mumbaimirror.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/the-secret-is-out/articleshow/15742247.cms |access-date=29 March 2022 |work=Mumbai Mirror |date=18 September 2007 |language=en}} in 2008 and on the show Hans Baliye.{{cn|date=March 2025}}
=Work with Govinda=
Dhawan first teamed with actor Govinda{{Cite news|url=http://www.news18.com/news/movies/happy-birthday-david-dhawan-his-most-unforgettable-movies-featuring-govinda-1492617.html|title=Happy Birthday David Dhawan: His Most Unforgettable Movies Featuring Govinda|date=16 August 2017|work=News18|access-date=16 August 2017}} 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), {{lang|hi-latn|Aankhen}} (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.{{cite web |last=Tuteja |first=Joginder |date=2 August 2007 |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/32734.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070823201955/http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/32734.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=23 August 2007 |title=Box office analysis |work=India Glitz |access-date=6 July 2010}} The same year, Salman Khan invited Dhawan{{Cite news|first=Priyanka|last=Sharma|date=21 August 2017|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/david-dhawan-on-working-with-govinda-again-judwaa-2-trailer-launch-varun-dhawan-4807141/|title=David Dhawan on working with Govinda again: Why not? We have created history|work=The Indian Express|access-date=21 August 2017}} and Govinda{{Cite news| first=Divya |last=Goyal |date=22 August 2017 |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/hey-govinda-heres-what-david-dhawan-said-about-working-with-you-again-1740479 |title=Hey Govinda, Here's What David Dhawan Said About Working With You Again |work=NDTV |access-date=22 August 2017}} on his show 10 Ka Dum to celebrate Partner. 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.{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Anuj |date=3 October 2009 |title=Do Knot Disturb: Check it out for Govinda |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/Do-Knot-Disturb-Check-it-out-for-Govinda/article16884519.ece |work=The Hindu |access-date=13 December 2024}}
Personal life
Dhawan is married to Karuna Dhawan (née Chopra),{{cite web|last=Baddhan|first=Raj (3 April 2014)|title=Varun Dhawan's grandmother passes away|url=http://www.media247.co.uk/showbiz/varun-dhawans-grandmother-passes-away|work=Biz Asia|access-date=20 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423040531/http://www.media247.co.uk/showbiz/varun-dhawans-grandmother-passes-away|archive-date=23 April 2014|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|last=Muthanna|first=Anjali (3 April 2014)|title=Bangalore girls go selfie-crazy with Varun Dhawan| url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/kannada/movies/news-interviews/Bangalore-girls-go-selfie-crazy-with-Varun-Dhawan/articleshow/33134549.cms|work=The Times of India|date=3 April 2014 |access-date=20 April 2014}} with whom he has two sons, Rohit Dhawan and Varun Dhawan. His brother is actor Anil Dhawan and nephew is actor Siddharth Dhawan.{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/3741 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729040618/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/3741 |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2012 |title=Numero Unos: A Survey of the Top Hit Films – Part 5: Whizkid directors|author=Rajiv Vijayakar |date=26 July 2012 |website=Bollywood Hungama|access-date=20 August 2012}}
Filmography
{{BLP unreferenced section|date= August 2022}}
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| rowspan="4"| 1989
| | ||
| Gola Barood
| | ||
| Aag Ka Gola
| | ||
| Jurrat
| Remake of The Untouchables | ||
| rowspan="2"| 1990
| Inspired by Mehrban | ||
| Aandhiyan
|Remake of Doorian | ||
| rowspan="2"| 1992
| | ||
| Bol Radha Bol
| | ||
| 1993
|{{lang|hi-latn|Aankhen}} | Inspired by Anubavi Raja Anubavi | ||
| rowspan="3"| 1994
| Inspired by Rasukutty | ||
| Eena Meena Deeka
| Inspired by Three Fugitives | ||
| {{Lang|hi-latn|Andaz}}
| Remake of Sundara Kandam | ||
| rowspan="2"| 1995
| Based on Sleeping with the Enemy | ||
| Coolie No. 1
| Remake of Sinna Mapplai | ||
| rowspan="2"| 1996
| Remake of Velai Kidaichuduchu | ||
| Saajan Chale Sasural
| Remake of Allari Mogudu | ||
| rowspan="5"| 1997
| Remake of Aa Okkati Adakku | ||
| Banarasi Babu
| Inspired by The Taming of the Shrew and Pattikada Pattanama | ||
| Judwaa
| Remake of Hello Brother | ||
| Deewana Mastana
| Inspired by What About Bob? | ||
| Hero No. 1
| Inspired by Galpo Holeo Satti | ||
| rowspan="2"| 1998
| Remake of Thaikulame Thaikulame | ||
| Bade Miyan Chote Miyan | ||
| rowspan="2"| 1999
| Remake of Sathi Leelavathi | ||
| Haseena Maan Jaayegi
| Inspired by Pyar Kiye Jaa | ||
| rowspan="3"| 2000
|Inspired by Ek Phool Char Kante | ||
| Kunwara
| Remake of Bavagaru Bagunnara? | ||
| Chal Mere Bhai
| | ||
| rowspan="2"| 2001
| | ||
| Kyo Kii... Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta
| Inspired by Liar Liar | ||
| rowspan="3" | 2002
| Remake of Blue Streak | ||
| Hum Kisise Kum Nahin
| Inspired by Analyze This | ||
| Yeh Hai Jalwa
| Inspired by Carbon Copy | ||
| 2003
| | ||
| 2004
|Inspired by Anger Management | ||
| rowspan="2"| 2005
| Remake of Kothigalu Saar Kothigalu | ||
| Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya
| Adaptation of Cactus Flower | ||
| rowspan="1"| 2007
| Based on Hitch | ||
| rowspan="1"| 2009
| Remake of The Valet | ||
| 2011
|Remake of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels | ||
| 2013
| Remake of Chashme Buddoor | ||
| 2014
| Remake of Kandireega | ||
| rowspan="1"| 2017
| Remake of his own Judwaa | ||
| rowspan="1"| 2020
| Remake of his own Coolie No. 1 | ||
| 2026
| Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai | |
Awards and nominations
{{BLP unreferenced section|date= August 2022}}
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| Year
! Film ! Award Ceremony ! Category ! Result |
|---|
| 1994
| {{lang|hi-latn|Aankhen}} | rowspan="4" | Filmfare Awards | rowspan="2" | Best Director | {{nom}} |
| rowspan='2'|2000
|rowspan='2'|Biwi No.1 | {{nom}} |
| Best Film
| {{nom}} |
| 2024
|– | {{won}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{Bollywood Hungama person|david-dhawan}}
- {{IMDb name|0223522}}
{{David Dhawan}}
{{Nach Baliye 3}}
{{Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dhawan, David}}
Category:Film directors from Tripura
Category:Film and Television Institute of India alumni
Category:Hindi-language film directors
Category:20th-century Indian people
Category:21st-century Indian people