Since his debut in 2012, Varun Dhawan has often been hailed by critics and fans as the spiritual successor to the high-energy, comedic legends of the 90s. From his vibrant dance moves to his impeccable comic timing, the comparisons to superstars Govinda and Salman Khan have been a constant backdrop to his career.
However, in a revealing new conversation, his father—the legendary filmmaker David Dhawan—has shared that these comparisons aren’t always welcomed by the actor. While Varun holds both veterans in the highest regard, David explains that the younger star has often struggled with the pressure of being measured against such iconic benchmarks.
David Dhawan, who directed both Govinda and Salman in some of their biggest career hits, is perhaps the most qualified person to draw these parallels. Yet, he admits that as a father, he has seen the toll it takes on an artist trying to find their own voice.
“Varun has immense respect for Govinda and Salman; they are like family to us,” David shared. “But as an actor, he doesn’t always like being compared to them. He wants to be known as Varun Dhawan, not the ‘next’ anyone. He has his own style, his own way of approaching a character, and he works incredibly hard to ensure he isn’t just a shadow of the past.”
David noted that while the audience sees the similarities as a compliment, Varun often views them as a challenge to his individuality.
The filmmaker pointed out that the industry has changed significantly since the days of Coolie No. 1 or Judwaa. Today’s actors face a different kind of scrutiny, and Varun has deliberately chosen a path that balances commercial “masala” films with intense, performance-driven roles like Badlapur and October.
According to David, Varun’s desire to step away from the Govinda-Salman mold is what drives him to pick diverse scripts.
The Comedic Roots: Varun acknowledges that he grew up on the sets of David Dhawan’s comedies, which naturally influenced his sensibilities.
The Search for Originality: Despite the natural flair for comedy, Varun often spends hours in rehearsals to ensure his mannerisms don’t mimic the stars he is compared to.
The Father-Son Dynamic: David admitted that even on their film sets, they have had healthy debates about how much of the “old school” energy to retain versus how much to innovate.
While Varun seeks his own identity, his bond with Salman Khan remains unbreakable. Salman has been a mentor to Varun, even making a cameo in the reboot of Judwaa 2. Similarly, Varun has frequently spoken about how Govinda’s body language is a textbook for any actor in the comedy genre.
The conflict, as David describes it, is purely artistic. It is the natural tension felt by any second-generation professional who wants to honor their roots while building their own house.
As Varun Dhawan prepares for a busy slate in 2026, including high-octane action projects and collaborations with new-age directors, his focus remains on evolution. David Dhawan expressed pride in how his son has handled the “heavy lifting” of expectations.
“He’s proven himself now,” David concluded. “He can do the big commercial hits, and he can do the quiet, soulful films. The comparisons will probably never stop because he’s that good at what he does, but Varun is finally at a place where he is comfortable being himself.”
For the audience, the comparisons might remain a way to celebrate a familiar brand of entertainment, but for Varun, the goal is clear: to ensure that decades from now, new actors are compared to him. To
know such
latest updates tuned tellyboosters.com Thank you
