Varun Dhawan
Varun Dhawan (born 24 April 1987) is an Indian film actor who works primarily in Hindi cinema. The son of filmmaker David Dhawan, Varun emerged as a popular leading man after his debut in Karan Johar's Student of the Year (2012). Over the following decade he established a reputation for versatility — moving between broad commercial entertainers, romantic comedies and more introspective dramas — and is recognized as one of Bollywood's commercially bankable stars.[1]
Varun Dhawan 
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| Born | 24 April 1987 Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Education | H.R. College of Commerce and Economics; Nottingham Trent University (BBA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Known for | Student of the Year, Badlapur, Badrinath Ki Dulhania, October, Bhediya |
| Spouse | Natasha Dalal (m. 2021) |
| Parents | David Dhawan (father) Karuna Dhawan (mother) |
Early life and education
Varun Dhawan was born on 24 April 1987 in Mumbai into a family with deep roots in the film industry. He attended Bombay Scottish School and later studied at H.R. College of Commerce and Economics. He completed a business degree at Nottingham Trent University. Before his acting debut, Varun worked as an assistant director to Karan Johar on the 2010 film My Name Is Khan, which gave him early exposure to film sets and production processes.[2]
Career
Breakthrough and commercial success (2012–2016)
Varun made his feature-film debut in 2012 with the teen drama Student of the Year, produced by Karan Johar. The film was a major commercial success and launched Varun as a youth icon. He followed with a string of commercially successful entertainers and dance films such as Main Tera Hero (2014) and ABCD 2 (2015).[3][4]
Critical roles and range (2015–2019)
In 2015 Varun took on a darker role in Badlapur, earning praise for his dramatic turn and demonstrating range beyond romantic-comedy fare. He continued to alternate between lighter and serious projects, notably starring in Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017) and the contemplative drama October (2018), for which his restrained performance received critical acclaim.[5]
Established star and recent work (2020–present)
Varun continued to maintain a strong box-office presence with films like Jugjugg Jeeyo (2022) and the supernatural-comedy Bhediya (2022). He has also appeared in high-profile projects across platforms and formats, consolidating his position as a leading commercial actor. In 2021 he married childhood friend and designer Natasha Dalal; the couple became parents to daughter Lara in 2024. Upcoming projects include Border 2 and the 2025 romance Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari.[6]
Notable works
- Student of the Year (2012) — film debut
- Badlapur (2015) — critically noted dramatic role
- ABCD 2 (2015) — dance film
- Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017) — romantic drama
- October (2018) — acclaimed dramatic performance
- Jugjugg Jeeyo (2022) — family drama
- Bhediya (2022) — commercial hit
- Bawaal (2023) — notable streaming release
- Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari (2025) — upcoming
Awards and recognition
Varun Dhawan has received multiple awards and nominations throughout his career, with wins across popular and industry ceremonies. He has been recognized by organizations such as Filmfare, IIFA and Zee Cine Awards, and has been described by industry outlets as one of the decade's prominent performers. (See full awards list on dedicated filmography and awards pages.)
Personal life
Varun married fashion designer Natasha Dalal in January 2021. The couple welcomed a daughter, Lara, in June 2024. Varun is known for his fitness regimen, interest in dance, and active involvement in promotional and charity activities. He follows Hindu traditions and is associated with philanthropic and cultural initiatives.
Filmography
(Selected)
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Student of the Year | Debut |
| 2014 | Main Tera Hero | |
| 2015 | Badlapur | Critically noted role |
| 2015 | ABCD 2 | Dance film |
| 2017 | Badrinath Ki Dulhania | |
| 2018 | October | Critically acclaimed |
| 2022 | Jugjugg Jeeyo | |
| 2022 | Bhediya | |
| 2023 | Bawaal | |
| 2025 | Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari | Upcoming |
References
- ↑ https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/varun-dhawan-has-the-same-love-for-dog-joey-daughter-lara-kajol-twinkle-khanna-shocked-two-much-with-kajol-and-twinkle-101759567207831.html
- ↑ https://www.news18.com/movies/bollywood/varun-dhawan-lifts-janhvi-kapoor-in-his-arms-as-they-walk-the-ramp-in-gorgeous-outfits-watch-ws-l-9615043.html
- ↑ https://www.moneycontrol.com/entertainment/bollywood/janhvi-kapoor-and-varun-dhawan-dazzle-as-showstoppers-for-sseema-singh-watch-here-article-13597569.html
- ↑ https://www.ottplay.com/news/sunny-sanskari-ki-tulsi-kumari-box-office-collection-day-3-varun-dhawan-janhvi-kapoors-chemistry-fails-to-connect-with-the-audience/2309fe630c943
- ↑ https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/janhvi-kapoor-varun-dhawan-allege-negative-fake-social-media-trends-against-sunny-sanskari-ki-tulsi-kumari-101759465886058.html
- ↑ https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/sunny-sanskari-ki-tulsi-kumari-actor-varun-dhawan-breaks-his-silence-on-being-called-a-scene-cutting-co-star-10285444/