Varun Dhawan vs Rajkummar Rao: Can ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ Boost His Star Power Ranking?

May 28, 2026 user

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With just days to go before the release of David Dhawan’s final directorial, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, Varun Dhawan is gearing up for his next Bollywood outing alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. As excitement builds for this family-friendly romantic comedy, fans are also wondering if this film could push Varun past Rajkummar Rao in Koimoi’s coveted Star Power Index.

Decoding the Star Power Index

Koimoi’s Star Ranking awards points to actors based on their box-office achievements in India: 100 points for a movie grossing ₹100 crore net, 200 points for ₹200 crore, and so on. Top 10 overseas grossers get an additional 50 points each. This system creates a dynamic leaderboard where actors climb or drop depending on their latest hits.

Varun’s Current Standing

After the success of Border 2 earlier this year, Varun sits at 15th place with a total of 700 points. He shares the same tally as Rajkummar Rao, but Rajkummar holds 14th position thanks to his sole entry in the ₹600 crore club. Can Varun’s upcoming release flip the rankings?

Breaking Down Varun’s 700 Points

Four films in the ₹100 crore club (ABCD 2, Dilwale, Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Judwaa 2) = 400 points
One blockbuster in the ₹300 crore club (Border 2) = 300 points

Can ‘Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai’ Be a Game-Changer?

If Varun’s new film crosses the ₹100 crore net mark domestically, he’ll pocket an extra 100 points, taking his total to 800. That would catapult him ahead of Rajkummar, granting him the 14th spot. With David Dhawan’s signature humour and a vibrant ensemble, the buzz is strong—especially among family audiences—so expectations are high for a sizeable opening.

Factors in Varun’s Favour

David Dhawan’s directorial legacy and final film angle
The popular on-screen pairing of father and son
Festive-season release and family-friendly genre

Whether Varun Dhawan can overtake Rajkummar Rao hinges on sustained word-of-mouth and strong box-office footfall. Keep an eye on Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai when it hits theatres next week to see if the star ranking shifts in Varun’s favour.

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