Two stalwarts, producer Vashu Bhagnani and director David Dhawan, have been locked in a major legal and public dispute over copyright issues and unpaid dues. The fallout began after the financial losses of their 2020 film Coolie No. 1 and the alleged unauthorised use of the iconic song Chunari Chunari in David's upcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.
The Chunari Chunari Row
Vashu Bhagnani claims that Tips Industries used the track from the 1999 hit Biwi No. 1 without his permission. His production house, Puja Entertainment, took legal action, and a court in Katihar, Bihar, ordered a status quo on the matter.
The Coolie No. 1 Fallout
Vashu Bhagnani lashed out at David Dhawan, alleging that he overpaid the director for the 2020 Coolie No. 1 remake, paying him nearly ₹70 crore, which ultimately resulted in a ₹27 crore loss for Bhagnani. He further claimed that David had promised to helm a Biwi No. 1 sequel to make up for the losses, but later ghosted him.
On Friday, Vashu held a press conference to address his ongoing dispute with David Dhawan. During the interaction, the producer claimed that Ramesh Taurani and Tips cannot use the songs from his 1999 film Biwi No. 1.
Producer Vashu Bhagnani lashed out over the reuse of the track Chunari Chunari in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, starring Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. He took sharp digs at filmmaker David Dhawan and his son Varun, accusing them of failing to take accountability for the heavy financial losses suffered after the disastrous performance of Coolie No. 1.
Vashu also claimed that the storyline of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai appears to bear similarities to Biwi No. 1, which featured Salman Khan, Sushmita Sen and Karisma Kapoor.
Vashu said, "I told David ji that I want to make Biwi No. 1. We suffered a loss of around ₹27 crore in Coolie No. 1 (2020). I was just a namesake producer. It was David ji who 100% handled the production and expenses. I paid David ji big money to make that film, almost ₹70 crore, which was not even his worth."
The producer continued, "It was the time of COVID and David ji told me, 'Aapka jo bhi nuksaan hua hai, ( You have also suffered losses) we'll take care of it in future. Let's start Biwi No. 1.' Accordingly, we worked on Biwi No. 1 for six months. One day, Rohit Dhawan told me that the script is not ready. Since it's creative work, I decided not to hurry. Aaram se picture banate hai (Let's make the film at a relaxed pace)... I suffered a loss of ₹27 crore in Coolie No. 1. Varun never even bothered to check ki uncle ka nuksaan hua hai; kaun poora karega? (how much loss did I bear, and who will pay for it?)"
Vashu went on to reveal that he personally called David Dhawan after discovering that the song Chunari Chunari from his film Biwi No. 1 had been used in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. Recalling the sequence of events, Vashu said he was hurt when he found out that Ramesh Taurani and David Dhawan had teamed up for a film. That's when he called David Dhawan and confronted him.
He shared that they had sold the audio rights of Biwi No. 1 to Tips at the time of the film's release, and claimed that people from the music label are not ready to meet him over the issue.
Timeline of events
In 2025, leaked videos from the sets of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai took social media by storm, offering a glimpse of Varun Dhawan grooving to a recreated version of the iconic track Chunari Chunari alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. The viral clips soon snowballed into a full-blown intellectual property row between Puja Entertainment and Tips Music.
On May 13, Puja Entertainment (India) Ltd secured interim protection from the Court of Civil Judge (Senior Division)-I, Katihar, in proceedings initiated against Tips Music Limited and other parties concerning the alleged unauthorised exploitation and commercial misuse of intellectual property rights associated with some of Bollywood's films and music catalogues.
Following the judgment, the music label denied the allegations levelled against it in the ongoing legal dispute, calling Puja Entertainment's claims "malicious" and "misconceived." In its statement, Tips took a sharp dig at Puja Entertainment, alleging that the legal battle is a deliberate attempt to damage its reputation. The music label also firmly maintained that it is the rightful owner of the music rights at the centre of the dispute.
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai stars Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde in the lead roles. It is helmed by David Dhawan and is slated to release in theatres on June 5.
However, amid the ongoing dispute, Chunari Chunari was still seen in the trailer of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.
Although the Dhawans didn't speak about the ongoing controversy, David Dhawan cried, sharing how Varun has always been with him through thick and thin and even stayed with him during a hospital visit.
Addressing the media at the trailer event on Saturday, David Dhawan shared, "He has been a great son first, I would say. He has always looked after me, my health, anything, you know. He is always there, standing by."
Recalling how Varunsupported him during his hospital stay, the filmmaker added, "And in the hospital also, he used to sleep there with me. When I was in the hospital. So, you know, what more do you want here?"
Further speaking about Varun as both an actor and a son, David Dhawan added, "Actor toh he is improving, he has become what you want, he can give you that. Wo theek hai. But as a father, if I tell you, I mean, everybody should have a son like that."
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai trailer launch
The trailer of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai was unveiled on Saturday, May 23, offering a glimpse into the film's colourful comedy-drama setup with romance, music, confusion and family humour in David Dhawan's signature style.
The upcoming film marks the fourth collaboration between David Dhawan and Varun Dhawan. It also stars Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde and positions itself as a family entertainer revolving around romantic misunderstandings and comic chaos.
The ensemble cast includes Rakesh Bedi, Chunky Panday, Jimmy Shergill, Mouni Roy, Rajesh Kumar and Ali Asgar in supporting roles.
In the trailer, Varun Dhawan's character finds himself trapped in a chaotic love triangle with a former lover and a new love interest. One of the comic moments teased in the trailer shows an accidental pregnancy confession by the characters played by Pooja Hegde and Mrunal Thakur.
Speaking about the project in a press note, David Dhawan said, "This is my 46th film, and entertaining my audience continues to give me the biggest joy. The film has all the ingredients of a classic family entertainer: humour, confusion, music, and heart." The film is all set to release on June 5.
Released in 2020, the film starred Varun Dhawan and Sara Ali Khan. The movie, which released directly on OTT due to the COVID-19 pandemic, received largely negative reviews from critics. On IMDb, the David Dhawan directorial has a dismal rating of 1.4.
-
Mohamed Salah’s Next Move Could Break Liverpool Hearts as Real Madrid Emerge as Front-Runners: Report
-
Mohamed Salah reportedly in talks with Fenerbahce as Liverpool star eyes European move and avoids Saudi offer
-
Mauricio Pochettino says Tottenham will always feel like home, open to returning under right conditions
-
2025-26 Saudi Pro League Awards: Felix, Jesus, Al Juwayr and Al Elewa Among Top Honourees
-
Thomas Tuchel warned of possible sacking if England miss out on World Cup title as ex-striker Troy Deeney brands his squad a ‘B team’
