David Dhawan

Some Lesser Known Facts About David Dhawan

• David Dhawan grew up in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

• During his school and college days, he used to top his class. He was also good at various sports.

  

• In childhood, his neighbours who were Christians, used to call him David. Later, he changed his name to David from Rajinder. ^[4]The Times of India

• On his brother’s advice, he joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune to become an actor. However, within a few days there, he realised that he could become an actor and join an editing course there. While studying there, he watched the Bengali film ‘Meghe Dhaka Tara.’ He was so impressed by the work in the film that he decided to make his career as a filmmaker. From there, David passed out with a gold medal. ^[5]The Times of India In FTII, the Indian actor Om Puri was his batchmate and Naseeruddin Shah was his senior.

  

• At the beginning of his career, he worked as an editor with Bombay TV.

• As an editor, he worked in a few Hindi films such as ‘Laadli’ (1978), ‘Saaransh’ (1984), ‘Sultanat’ (1986), ‘Swarg’ (1990), and ‘Chor Machaaye Shor’ (2002).

• David has worked as a writer in various films like ‘Taaqatwar’ (1989; Hindi), Pokiri Raja (1995; Telugu), ‘Kyo Kii… Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta’ (2001; Hindi), ‘Partner’ (2007; Hindi), and ‘New Délire’ (2013; French).

• Some of his popular directorial Hindi films are ‘Swarg’ (1990), ‘Saajan Chale Sasural’ (1996), ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ (1998), ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ (2004), ‘Partner’ (2007), and ‘Main Tera Hero’ (2014).

  

• The famous Indian director-actor jodi David Dhawan-Govinda has worked in many famous comedy Hindi films including ‘Raja Babu’ (1994), ‘Coolie No. 1’ (1995), ‘Hero No. 1’ (1997), and ‘Haseena Maan Jaayegi’ (1999).

  

• He has judged a few Hindi TV shows like ‘Hans Baliye’ (2009; Star Plus).

• He started a private firm Goodfight Entertainment Private Limited in Mumbai on 22 March 2021. His son Varun Dhawan is a co-owner of the company.

• He is a member of the Asian Academy of Film & Television and the Asian School of Media Studies.

• Most of the films directed by him are inspired by some other films or are remakes.

• Whenever he gets time from his busy schedule, he enjoys travelling to different places.

  

• In a talk show, the Indian actor Sanjay Dutt shared that David was a foodie.

• In an interview, he shared that he owed to the Indian actor Sanjay Dutt for helping him in his low phase.

• In December 2024, Govinda‘s daughter gave an interview in which she stated that she was unable to start her acting career before 2015 due to the deteriorating relationship between Govinda and David Dhawan in the early 2010s. It was initially planned for her to make her debut in a film directed by David. Their relationship improved after they worked through their differences in 2023.