David Dhawan

Profession: Director/ Editor/ Screenwriter
Date of Birth: 16 Aug 1955

Written by Ajay Bhatia ▦ Last Updated: June 2, 2026 Fact-Checked

David Dhawan is a veteran Bollywood director known for blockbuster comedy films starring Govinda and Salman Khan. His energetic storytelling and comic timing helped define commercial Hindi cinema in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Biography Overview Filmography FAQs

David Dhawan: Age, Net Worth, Movies, Family, and Personal Details

Name	David Dhawan
Date Of Birth	16 Aug 1955
Age	70 Years
Birth Place	Agartala, India
Height	5'7"
Profession	Director, Screenwriter, Editor
Current Residence	Mumbai, India
Religion	Hinduism
Nationality	Indian
Zodiac Sign	Leo
Hobbies	Filmmaking

David Dhawan: Education

Education Qualification	FTII Graduate
College(s)	FTII Pune
School(s)	BNSD Inter College, Kanpur

David Dhawan: Family

Father	Madan Lal Dhawan
Mother	Raj Rani Dhawan
Siblings	Anil Dhawan (Actor) and Ashok Dhawan
Spouse	Married
Children	2

David Dhawan: Net Worth

Net Worth	~$20M

Sources: Compiled from official corporate biographies, public statements, and media reports.

David Dhawan: Overview

David Dhawan, born on 16 August 1955 in Agartala, India, is one of Bollywood’s most successful commercial filmmakers. He studied at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune, before starting his career as an editor. Dhawan gained prominence in the 1990s with a series of hit comedy films, many of which starred Govinda, forming one of Bollywood’s most iconic actor-director partnerships. Films like Raja Babu, Coolie No. 1, and Hero No. 1 became massive box office successes and are still celebrated for their humor and entertainment value. He later collaborated with Salman Khan in films like Judwaa and Partner, further cementing his legacy in mainstream cinema. Known for his fast-paced storytelling and mass appeal, David Dhawan has directed over 40 films. His contribution to commercial Hindi cinema has been significant, influencing a generation of filmmakers in the comedy genre.

Filmography

Movie/Web Series/TV Shows	Director	Casts	Release Date
Bollywood Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai Role as: Director, Screenwriter, Editor	David Dhawan	Varun Dhawan Mrunal Thakur Pooja Hegde Jimmy Shergill Mouni Roy	12 Jun 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is David Dhawan best known for?

He is most recognized as the "Comedy King of Bollywood," famous for directing hits like Aankhen (1993), Judwaa (1997), and the No. 1 film series (Coolie No. 1, Hero No. 1, etc.). He is also noted for his prolific 17-film collaboration with actor Govinda.

Which movies has he worked on recently?

His most recent directorial releases include the reboots Judwaa 2 (2017) and Coolie No. 1 (2020), both starring his son Varun Dhawan. He is currently working on an upcoming untitled comedy-entertainer featuring Varun Dhawan, set for release in October 2025.