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David Dhawan Age, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

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Wife: Karuna Dhawan
Age: 72 Years
Hometown: Kanpur

David Dhawan

Bio/Wiki
Real nameRajinder Dhawan [1]The Times of India
Profession(s)Film Director, Writer, Editor
Physical Stats & More
Height (approx.)in centimeters- 175 cm
in meters- 1.75 m
in Feet Inches- 5’ 9”
Weight (approx.)in kilograms- 95 kg
in pounds- 209 lbs
Eye ColourLight Brown
Hair ColourSalt & Pepper (dyed black)
Career
DebutFilm: Taaqatwar (1989)
David Dhawan debut film Taaqatwar
TV (As a Judge): Nach Baliye Season 3 (2008)
David Dhawan as a judge in Nach Baliye
AwardsFilmfare Awards
• 1994: Nominated for Best Director for the Hindi film Aankhen
• 2000: Nominated for Best Director for the Hindi film Biwi No 1
• 2024: Won Lifetime Achievement Award
David Dhawan receiving Lifetime Achievement Award
Awards of the International Indian Film Academy
• 2000: Nominated for Best Director for the Hindi film Haseena Maan Jaayegi
• 2005: Nominated for Best Director for the Hindi film Mujhse Shaadi Karogi

Star Gold Comedy Honors
• 2007: Won Director with Comic Excellence Award

Masala! Awards
• 2015: Won Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema
• He has received an Academy Award at the Asian Academy of Film & Television and the Asian School of Media Studies.
Personal Life
Date of Birth16 August 1951 (Thursday)
Age (as of 2023) 72 Years
BirthplaceAgartala, Tripura, India
Zodiac signLeo
AutographDavid Dhawan's signature
NationalityIndian
HometownKanpur, Uttar Pradesh
School(s)• Christ Church College, Kanpur
• BNSD Inter College, Kanpur
College/UniversityFilm and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune
Educational QualificationCourse in Editing
HobbyTravelling
ReligionHinduism [2]The Times of India
EthnicityPunjabi [3]The Times of India
AddressA-15, Sagar Darshan, Hanuman Nagar, Off Carter Road, Khar, Mumbai 400052

Relationships & More
Marital StatusMarried
Family
Wife/SpouseKaruna Dhawan/Karuna Chopra aka Laali
David Dhawan's wedding photo
ChildrenSon(s)- 2
Rohit Dhawan (elder; film director) (born on 26 December 1983)
Varun Dhawan (actor; born on 24 April 1987)
David Dhawan with his wife and sons
Daughter- None
ParentsFather- Madan Lal Dhawan, was a manager at UCO Bank
Mother- Raj Rani Dhawan
David Dhawan's parents
SiblingsBrother(s)- Ashok Dhawan (who died of cancer) and Anil Dhawan (actor)
David Dhawan with his brother Anil Dhawan
Sister- Vanod Dhawan
Family TreeDavid Dhawan's family tree
Favourites
Film Director(s)Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Manmohan Desai
Actor(s)Sanjay Dutt, Rajesh Khanna, Govinda

David Dhawan

Some Lesser Known Facts About David Dhawan

  • David Dhawan grew up in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
  • During his school and college days, he used to top his class. He was also good at various sports.

    David Dhawan's childhood picture

    David Dhawan’s childhood picture

  • In childhood, his neighbours who were Christians, used to call him David. Later, he changed his name to David from Rajinder. [4]The Times of India
  • On his brother’s advice, he joined the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune to become an actor. However, within a few days there, he realised that he could become an actor and join an editing course there. While studying there, he watched the Bengali film ‘Meghe Dhaka Tara.’ He was so impressed by the work in the film that he decided to make his career as a filmmaker. From there, David passed out with a gold medal. [5]The Times of India In FTII, the Indian actor Om Puri was his batchmate and Naseeruddin Shah was his senior.

    David Dhawan in his younger days

    David Dhawan in his younger days

  • At the beginning of his career, he worked as an editor with Bombay TV.
  • As an editor, he worked in a few Hindi films such as ‘Laadli’ (1978), ‘Saaransh’ (1984), ‘Sultanat’ (1986), ‘Swarg’ (1990), and ‘Chor Machaaye Shor’ (2002).
  • David has worked as a writer in various films like ‘Taaqatwar’ (1989; Hindi), Pokiri Raja (1995; Telugu), ‘Kyo Kii… Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta’ (2001; Hindi), ‘Partner’ (2007; Hindi), and ‘New Délire’ (2013; French).
  • Some of his popular directorial Hindi films are ‘Swarg’ (1990), ‘Saajan Chale Sasural’ (1996), ‘Bade Miyan Chote Miyan’ (1998), ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ (2004), ‘Partner’ (2007), and ‘Main Tera Hero’ (2014).

    A picture of David Dhawan on the sets of Saajan Chale Sasural

    A picture of David Dhawan on the sets of Saajan Chale Sasural

  • The famous Indian director-actor jodi David Dhawan-Govinda has worked in many famous comedy Hindi films including ‘Raja Babu’ (1994), ‘Coolie No. 1’ (1995), ‘Hero No. 1’ (1997), and ‘Haseena Maan Jaayegi’ (1999).

    Govinda with David Dhawan

    Govinda with David Dhawan

  • He has judged a few Hindi TV shows like ‘Hans Baliye’ (2009; Star Plus).
  • He started a private firm Goodfight Entertainment Private Limited in Mumbai on 22 March 2021. His son Varun Dhawan is a co-owner of the company.
  • He is a member of the Asian Academy of Film & Television and the Asian School of Media Studies.
  • Most of the films directed by him are inspired by some other films or are remakes.
  • Whenever he gets time from his busy schedule, he enjoys travelling to different places.

    David Dhawan during his vacation

    David Dhawan during his vacation

  • In a talk show, the Indian actor Sanjay Dutt shared that David was a foodie.
  • In an interview, he shared that he owed to the Indian actor Sanjay Dutt for helping him in his low phase.