Varun Dhawan
A Bollywood star who channeled infectious energy and everyman charm into a record-setting streak of box-office hits throughout the 2010s.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Indian actor·Birthday: April 24·Millennials
Biography
Varun Dhawan didn't just enter Bollywood; he exploded onto the scene with a dual debut in 2012, showcasing remarkable range from the start. As a student of the industry—his father is director David Dhawan—he possessed an innate understanding of commercial cinema's pulse. He quickly became the face of the youthful, high-energy romantic comedy, with films like 'Main Tera Hero' and 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania' cementing his status. What defined his early career was an unprecedented commercial consistency: eleven consecutive hits from his debut, a modern record. He deliberately stretched beyond his comfort zone, taking on darker roles in 'Badlapur' and a dance-heavy dramatic part in 'ABCD 2,' proving his ambition matched his star power. Dhawan's career represents a bridge between classic Bollywood masala and a new generation's sensibilities, driven by relentless physicality and a palpable joy in performance.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Varun was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Varun Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Varun's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred in eleven consecutive commercially successful films between his 2012 debut and 2018, a rare industry feat.
- Won the Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his performances in both 'Student of the Year' and 'Main Tera Hero'.
- Headlined the successful 'Dulhania' series with 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania' and 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania'.
- His film 'Judwaa 2' (2017), a sequel to his father's hit, was a major box office success.
Did You Know?
He worked as an assistant director on Karan Johar's 'My Name Is Khan' before becoming an actor.
He is a trained dancer and performed extensively for his role in the dance film 'ABCD 2'.
He holds a business management degree from Nottingham Trent University in the UK.
He often performs his own stunt sequences in action films.
“I don't want to be a star, I want to be a good actor. The star is a by-product.”
