Salman Khan Jokes About Varun Dhawan Amid Chunari Chunari Controversy

At a recent event celebrating the works of filmmaker David Dhawan, actor Salman Khan made headlines by jokingly referencing the Chunari Chunari remake during a playful exchange with fellow actor Varun Dhawan. The song, originally from Salman's 1999 film Biwi No. 1, has drawn scrutiny due to concerns over its reuse in the upcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.

Salman quipped that Varun had 'picked up another one' of his songs, prompting laughter from attendees. In a slightly embarrassed tone, Varun responded by asking Salman to stop, demonstrating his discomfort with the ongoing controversy. The recreated version of Chunari Chunari has become a contentious issue after producer Vashu Bhagnani expressed disappointment that the song was utilised without his permission.

Vashu Bhagnani, speaking during a virtual press conference, emphasised that the team behind the song's recreation should have approached him directly, particularly given that his son is involved in the project. He questioned the ethical implications of reusing a classic track for another producer without adequate communication. Bhagnani described his long-standing relationship with David Dhawan as familial and conveyed that the song's reuse had upset him on an emotional level, rather than being a financial issue.

Further complicating the matter, he suggested that recent delays in a trailer launch event were related to the ongoing legal dispute, rather than technical difficulties as previously claimed. Prominent singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya also commented on the controversy, stating that neither he, the music composer, nor the film's director had informed him about the song's remake. Bhattacharya lamented the lack of direct communication regarding the new version of Chunari Chunari.

Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is described as a romantic comedy filled with misunderstandings and family chaos. In addition to Varun Dhawan, the film features Pooja Hegde, Mrunal Thakur, Jimmy Shergill, Chunky Panday, Mouni Roy, Ali Asgar, and Rakesh Bedi in prominent roles. Produced by Ramesh Taurani under Tips Films, with Gaurav Bose of Maximilian Films acting as co-producer, the film is set to hit theatres on 5 June 2026.