Guide: David Dhawan PVR Festival May 2026

David Dhawan's Hit Comedies Re-Releasing at PVR Cinemas — May 2026 Lineup

 

 

PVR Cinemas has announced a special David Dhawan Film Festival running from May 8 to May 26, 2026, bringing five of the veteran director's most beloved comedies back to the big screen. For fans who grew up watching Main Tera Hero and Partner on television, this is a rare chance to experience these blockbuster comedies on the big screen — exactly as they were meant to be seen. The re-release festival arrives alongside the news that David Dhawan's upcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai (starring his son Varun Dhawan) has moved its release from May 22 to June 5.

 

 

1. Main Tera Hero (2014)

 

 

Cast: Varun Dhawan, Ileana D'Cruz, Nargis Fakhri | Director: David Dhawan

 

A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy about a young man caught between two women — one he loves and one who has a crush on him — Main Tera Hero is classic David Dhawan territory done with a modern energy. Varun Dhawan's debut in the comedy space marked his second collaboration with his father after Student of the Year, and the film was a commercial success for its breezy humour, catchy music, and colourful characters. The supporting cast, including Anupam Kher, Rajpal Yadav, and Manoj Pahwa, adds to the chaos.

 

This one is pure, unapologetic fun — the kind of film where you leave your brain at the door and just laugh.

 

2. Partner (2007)

 

 

Cast: Salman Khan, Govinda, Katrina Kaif, Lara Dutta | Director: David Dhawan

 

One of the biggest hits of 2007, Partner brought together Salman Khan and Govinda in what remains one of Hindi cinema's most memorable comic pairings. A remake of the Hollywood film Hitch, the film follows a "love guru" (Govinda) who helps a shy businessman (Salman) win the heart of a journalist. The chemistry between Salman and Govinda was electric, and the film still holds up remarkably well for its comedy, music (Do U Wanna Partner is still a party favourite), and sheer entertainment value.

 

Songs like Maaeri and Halla Re added to the film's cultural footprint, and the climax at a wedding is pure David Dhawan chaos at its peak.

 

3. Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (2005)

 

 

Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sushmita Sen, Sohail Khan | Director: David Dhawan

 

A marital comedy with a twist, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya follows a successful doctor who lies about being married to avoid commitment — only to have his fake wife show up in real life. The film is classic David Dhawan: fast-paced, physically comedic, and full of misunderstandings. Salman Khan's comic timing was at its peak here, and Katrina Kaif and Sushmita Sen brought both glamour and solid comic performances to the table. The film was a major box office success and is often cited as one of Salman's best comedy performances.

 

4. Raja Babu (1994)

 

 

Cast: Govinda, Karisma Kapoor, Shakti Kapoor, Kader Khan, Prem Chopra | Director: David Dhawan

 

The film that arguably defined the David Dhawan-Govinda comedy formula, Raja Babu is a 1990s cult classic. Govinda plays a wealthy but illiterate village man who moves to the city and must navigate class politics, romance, and a scheming villain. This was peak Govinda — electric dance moves, impeccable comic timing, and a heart of gold. The supporting cast, including the legendary Kader Khan and the unforgettable Shakti Kapoor, made this a repeat-viewing favourite for an entire generation.

 

If you want to understand why 1990s Bollywood comedy is still beloved, this is the film to watch.

 

5. Aankhen (1993)

 

 

Cast: Govinda, Chunky Pandey, Shakti Kapoor, Kader Khan, Raveena Tandon | Director: David Dhawan

 

A madcap comedy about identical twins separated at birth who reunite to take on a common enemy, Aankhen is pure 1990s Bollywood mayhem. Govinda plays a double role in this laugh riot that also features Chunky Pandey as his sidekick. The film is remembered for its slapstick humour, over-the-top characters, and the iconic song O Lal Dupatte Wali. Kader Khan and Shakti Kapoor, the dream comic duo of the era, deliver scene-stealing performances that make this film an essential watch for Bollywood comedy fans.

 

 

Festival Details — Dates, Locations & How to Book

 

The David Dhawan Film Festival runs at PVR Cinemas across India from May 8 to May 26, 2026. Films will be screened on a rotating schedule at participating PVR multiplexes. This is a rare opportunity to see these comedies the way they were meant to be seen — on the big screen, with an audience, sharing the laughter.

 

Also notable: The announcement coincides with the date shift of David Dhawan's upcoming directorial Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai (starring Varun Dhawan, Ananya Panday) from May 22 to June 5. This suggests the re-release festival may fill the gap left by the postponement, giving audiences a taste of the Dhawan comedy magic while they wait for the new release.

 

Why Watch These in Theatres Again?

 

David Dhawan's comedies are designed for collective viewing. The laugh-a-minute pacing, the physical comedy, the chemistry between actors — all of it lands better when you're sitting in a darkened hall with other people reacting alongside you. For younger viewers who grew up watching these on TV, this is a chance to experience them as cinema. For older fans, it's nostalgia of the best kind.

 

 

FAQs

 

Q: When is the David Dhawan film festival at PVR?
A: The festival runs from May 8 to May 26, 2026 at PVR Cinemas across India.

 

Q: Which films are re-releasing in the David Dhawan festival?
A: The lineup includes Main Tera Hero, Partner, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, Raja Babu, and Aankhen.

 

Q: Can I book David Dhawan festival tickets on magicpin?
A: Yes! Book via magicpin to save on PVR and INOX movie tickets.

 

Q: Why was Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai postponed?
A: The film was moved from May 22 to June 5, 2026. The makers have not shared an official reason, though it follows the reshuffling of several summer release dates including Toxic.

 

Q: Which David Dhawan film is the most popular among these?
A: Partner (2007) and Raja Babu (1994) are arguably the most iconic, but all five films were commercial successes in their time and have loyal fan followings.

 

Find cinemas near you: Mumbai | Bangalore | Delhi | Hyderabad | Pune.