Varun Dhawan Birthday: From Student of the Year to Bollywood Superstar, Celebrating Actor's Rise to Fame

Varun Dhawan has cemented his place in Bollywood with his hard work, sheer dedication and energetic screen presence. From playing a college student to a fierce gangster, Varun has time and again ruled the screen. Son of director David Dhawan, Varun entered Bollywood with Karan Johar’s 2012 film Student of The Year. Since then, his charm and screen presence have earned him a massive fan following and carved him a niche as one of the most sought-after actors in the industry.

Over the years, Varun Dhawan has delivered a string of blockbuster movies that have left audiences enthralled. From the action-packed Bawal to the romantic drama Dilwale and the comedic Main Tera Hero, Varun has showcased his versatility. Additionally, his performance in films like Kalank has further cemented his status as a powerhouse performer in Bollywood.

Varun Dhawan has also won numerous awards and accolades for his striking performances including a Filmfare Award for Best Actor for his role in the film Badlapur. Moreover, he is undeniably a great dancer and his chart-topping hits are proof. On his 37th birthday today, let’s take a look at his journey in the entertainment industry, top films, songs and upcoming projects:

Varun Dhawan’s Top Films

1. Student Of The Year (2012)The coming-of-age drama film starring Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt and Siddharth Malhotra continues to be a favourite among audiences for its vibrant energy and engaging storyline. Directed by Karan Johar, this film marked Varun’s debut in Bollywood, where he portrayed the character of Rohan ‘Ro’ Nanda, a rich brat in this college drama.
2. Badlapur (2015)Varun Dhawan stepped out to deliver a gritty and powerful performance that was well-received by fans and critics. Directed by Sriram Raghavan, the neo-noir action thriller film proved to be a shift from Varun’s earlier choices. The film also featured stellar performances by Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Yami Gautam, Huma Qureshi, Vinay Pathak, Divya Dutta and Radhika Apte.
3. Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017)Varun Dhawan excels in light-hearted romantic comedies, and this movie is proof. Written and directed by Shashank Khaitan, Badrinath Ki Dulhania turned out to be a huge commercial success and one of the blockbusters of 2017. This film was a quasi-sequel to Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, starring Alia Bhatt and Varun.
4. Sui Dhaaga: Made in India (2018)Varun Dhawan proved his mettle once again with his performance in Sui Dhaaga: Made in India. The actor pushed his boundaries and transformed himself both physically and emotionally to portray the role of a sincere and hardworking character who overcomes various challenges to fulfil his dreams. Directed by Sharat Katariya, this film garnered critical acclaim and solidified Varun’s position as a versatile actor who can go from commercial cinema roles to a more grounded and relatable character like Mauji with ease.
5. October (2018)Directed by Shoojit Sircar, October is hailed as one of his finest performances to date. Shoojit Sircar’s directorial did wonders for Varun’s career, as the film showcased his acting abilities in a more nuanced role. The film revolves around the journey of Dan, a young hotel management trainee, as he discovers love, loss, and the importance of cherishing every moment.

Varun Dhawan’s Top Songs

1. ThumkeshwariThis upbeat and energetic song featuring Varun Dhawan and Kriti Sanon is worth adding to your playlist. This infectious song from the movie Bhediya is the dance anthem that will leave you grooving your heart out. Written by Amitabh Bhattacharya, the music is composed by Sachin Jigar.
2. Badri Ki DulhaniaFrom the film Badrinath Ki Dulhania, this peppy dance number with catchy tunes showcases Varun’s energetic dance moves in a colourful and vibrant setting. It is a popular song composed by Tanishk Bagchi and sung by Neha Kakkar, Monali Thakur, Dev Negi and Ikka. The lyrics were penned by Shabbir Ahmed.
3. Sun SaathiyaA sweet and melodic love song featuring Shraddha Kapoor and Varun Dhawan has become a favourite among fans ever since it was released. Sung by Priya Saraiya and Divya Kumar, it is a romantic ballad with soulful contemporary-style dancing. Directed by choreographer Remo D’Souza, the song from the movie ABCD 2 is composed by Sachin Jigar.
4. First ClassWatch the actor break into this festive spirit as he takes us back in time to a fictional town in the pre-independence era. This song is from the 2019 film Kalank, which also stars Sonakshi Sinha, Alia Bhatt, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sanjay Dutt, and Madhuri Dixit. First Class is composed by Pritam with lyrics penned by Amitabh Bhattacharya. The energetic and catchy music video is crooned by Arijit Singh and Neeti Mohan and showcases a lavish dance sequence performing intricate choreography while dressed in traditional Indian attire.
5. The Disco SongVarun Dhawan’s debut movie features a high-energy dance number that is sure to get you moving. Inspired by Nazia Hassan’s timeless classic Disco Deewane, this track, composed by Vishal-Shekhar, is a perfect blend of nostalgia and contemporary beats. With Benny Dayal and Sunidhi Chauhan lending their voices, the song exudes infectious energy.

Varun Dhawan’s Upcoming Movies

1. Call Me BaeDirected by Collin D’Cunha, the upcoming series Call Me Bae stars Varun Dhawan and Ananya Panday. The movie depicts the story of a billionaire fashionista (played by Ananya Panday), who faces social ostracization from her ultra-rich family due to a controversial scandal. Left to fend for herself for the first time in her life, Ananya Panday embarks on a journey of self-discovery where she overcomes stereotypes and prejudices to uncover her true self. Call Me Bae will be released on Amazon Prime Video.
2. Citadel: Honey BunnyThis drama series is a spin-off of the American spy franchise that stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Stanley Tucci and Richard Madden. Citadel India features Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kay Kay Menon, Saquib Saleem, Simran, Kashvi Majmundar, Soham Majumdar, Shivankit Parihar and Sikandar Kher in key roles. The team is currently staying in London. The series will be released on Amazon Prime Video.
3. Stree 2This film is a sequel to the hit 2018 horror comedy, shot in the small town of Chanderi. The film depicts the story of an evil spirit named Stree who abducts men mysteriously in the night during festival season, leaving their clothes behind. Directed by Amar Kaushik, Stree 2 stars Shraddha Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Abhishek Banerjee, Vijay Raaz, and Aparshakti Khurana. Moreover, it is believed that Tamannaah Bhatia will also make a cameo appearance in the film.
4. Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi KumariHelmed by Shashank Khaitan under the banner of Dharma Productions, Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari will feature Janhvi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, and Manoj Joshi in lead roles. The details about the film are still under wraps; however, it is set to hit the silver screens on April 18, 2025.
5. No Entry 2This sequel to the popular 2005 comedy film No Entry will see Varun Dhawan alongside Arjun Kapoor and Diljit Dosanjh. No Entry 2 will be directed by Anees Bazmee and bankrolled by Zee Studios.