David Dhawan

Biography:

David Dhawan was born into a Punjabi family in Agartala, Tripura, on August 16, 1951, as Rajinder Dhawan. His father was sent to Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, as a manager at UCO Bank. After completing his studies at Christ Church College and BNSD Inter College until Class XII, he enrolled in FTII for acting. There, he adopted the pet name David Dhawan, which was given to him by his Jewish neighbors in Agartala. Dhawan realized he was unable of acting after seeing other performers like Satish Shah and Suresh Oberoi. Instead, he started editing. He grew to love Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Manmohan Desai. He was motivated to pursue filmmaking after seeing Ritwik Ghatak’s Bengali film Meghe Dhaka Tara, which earned him a gold prize.

Swarg (1990), Shola Aur Shabnam, Bol Radha Bol (1992), Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No.1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), Judwaa, Hero No. 1, Deewana Mastana (all 1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999), Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000), Chal Mere Bhai (2001), Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya? (2005), Coolie No. 1 (2020), Judwaa 2 (2017), Chashme Baddoor (2013), Main Tera Hero (2014), and Partner (2007).