Dad Guilt Over Stardom: Why Varun Dhawan Is Hitting Pause on Bollywood After Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai

Not every break in Bollywood is about burnout or box office pressure. Sometimes, it’s just a father who hasn’t held his baby girl enough. And that’s exactly what’s driving Varun Dhawan to step back from the big screen — at least for a while.

Varun Dhawan : Overview

“I’ve Never Felt This Kind of Missing” — Varun’s Raw Confession

According to reports citing Filmfare, Varun Dhawan is planning a long break after the release of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, driven entirely by his desire to be more present for his daughter Lara. A source confirmed: “He is keen on spending more time with his family, especially his daughter. He is eager to take the break to be with Lara.”

During a Pinkvilla Masterclass, Varun opened up about what is now being called his “hard dad guilt.” He described waking up at 4 AM for shoots, wrapping late, and returning home only to realise he hadn’t carried Lara even once during the day. His words were striking: “I’ve never felt this kind of love in my life. I’ve never felt this kind of missing.”

He even recalled discussing this ache with director Atlee, who simply told him — “this is just the beginning.”

It’s the kind of candid vulnerability fans rarely see from Bollywood stars, and honestly, it hits differently.

What About Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai?

The much-anticipated rom-com starring Varun alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde was pushed from June 5 to June 12, 2026, with the makers citing “recent developments and the prevailing situation.” Directed by his father David Dhawan, the film also features Maniesh Paul, Mouni Roy, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Chunky Panday — a full-on entertainer that promises to be a classic Dhawan family comedy affair.

After this one wraps its theatrical run, Varun appears set to prioritise nappy changes over narrations for a bit.

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