Continuing the Dhawan Legacy

Anjini Dhawan / Instagram/@anjinidhawan

Young and vivacious Anjini Dhawan was born in the lap of Bollywood. The grand daughter of actor Anil Dhawan who has been making movies from the early 1970s, made her debut with a coming-of-age drama Binny And Family. Directed by Sanjay Tripathy, the film stars Anjini as Binny, a rebellious young adult who grapples with misunderstandings and conflicts arising from a generation gap with her grandparents, played by Pankaj Kapoor and Himani Shivpuri.

The girl is brimming with confidence and why wouldn’t she be, she literally has the acting blood flowing through her veins. She was born to Siddharth and Reena Dhawan in 2000 and it is obvious that this 24 year old has taken after the Dhawan side of the family. Her father, actor Siddharth Dhawan walked on the path his dad Anil Dhawan set for him. 

With films like Love Story 98 (1998), Sarfarosh-E-Hind (1999) and Paandav (2007) to his credit-he took to television with equal gusto like his Pa did. The acting bug traces back to Anil Dhawan, who refused to follow his banker father’s path and carved a niche for himself in performing arts. For the last five decades with over 100 movies and television serials to his credit, Anil Dhawan is a household name with everyone familiar with his boy-next-door charm and now, his grandpa next-door wit.

A student of the first batch of Film Institute Pune along with stalwarts like Jaya Bachchan, Danny Denzongpa a to name a few. Anil Dhawan’s most popular works include Piya ya Ka Ghar (1 (1972), Haar Jeet (1974). Loafer (1973), Nagin (1976), Darwaza (1978), Himmatwala (2013). What began with Chetna (1970) has been growing strong with critically and commercially acclaimed films like. Andhadhun (2018), and more recently, Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (2024).

This hardworking acting gene is certainly in Anjini too, she decided to start small and learn the nuances of acting by assisting her grand-uncle David Dhawan for Varun Dhawan’s 2019 superhit film Coolie No. 1. The beauty of her diligence is the fact that while she is confident and hardworking, she doesn’t expect her family to shoulder her into films and hand hold her through it all, speaking about it at the launch the 24 year old said, “I am nervous and am aware that my family has been into films for a long time so there is that pressure but at the same time I am excited. My uncle Varun Dhawan is a super star and his advice means a lot to me. He told me that I will have to be confident in whatever I do. And to know that no one will be able to help me if I am not confident in my job.”

Doing it on their own steam has been a Dhawan family motto, despite having brother Anil Dhawan in the industry, David too came up all by himself. He started his career in 1989 and build a grand repertoire with many comedy and social dramas like Swurg (1990), Shola Aur Shabnam, Bol Radha Bol (both 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), Jodi No. 1 (2001), Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Partner (2007), Chashme Baddoor (2013), Main Tera Hero (2014), Judwaa 2 (2017), and Coolie No. 1 (2020).

While everyone is familiar with his work, there are many who don’t even know that David Dhawan was born Rajinder Dhawan and changed his name to David as it was the nickname he was popularly known by amongst his Christian neighbors in Agartala. David initially was interested in acting and joined the Film Institute of Pune like his brother, however when he saw his classmates like Satish Shah and Suresh Oberoi perform he realized he was not meant for acting. Having won a Gold Medal on his graduation he turned towards editing and filmmaking as an option.

Like David, his older son Rohit Dhawan also turned filmmaker and has directed noteworthy films like Desi Boyz (2011), Dishoom (2016), and Shehzada (2023). His younger son, Varun currently enjoys a very successful career as an actor. But few know that his dad had refused to launch them in movies. David believed that his sons should first learn the ropes and stand on their own two feet, before he thought of collaborating with either one of them.

So Varun debuted as Karan Johar’s erstwhile ‘student’ in Student Of The Year (2012) and only later started working with his dad in movies like Judwaa and Coolie No. 1 etc. While he manages to mix his commercial movies with a Badlapur, Sui Dhaaga, Bhediyaa and others, he is taking on interesting cinema each year with his current line up comprising of South director Atlee’s Tamil remake Baby John, he will soon be seen in the Indian spinoff of the American drama series Citadel: Hunny Bunny alongside pan India superstar Samantha, the series is directed by Raj & DK for Amazon Prime. He is also doing Dharma Production’s Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumar and the sequel to 1997 superhit film Border, alongside the OG army man Sunny Deol and international sensation, Diljit Dosanjh, titled Border 2.

Despite such influential members in her family, Anjini upheld the tradition and refused to be launched by her family. Starting on her own could be nerve wrecking, but the girl clearly knows that she would never be left unsupported. Her illustrious family might not spoon feed her but the entire Dhawan family will surely be there to support her, which was evident seeing all of them come together for Anjini’s debut venture.

Her grand uncle the prolific filmmaker David Dhawan, his son’s filmmaker Rohit Dhawan and Varun Dhawan specially came for the trailer launch to boost her morale.

The Dhawans made such an impressive picture as each of them stood, shoulder to shoulder with their youngest family member, encouraging her to take that big step In the world of cinema.

Taking the stage, an emotional but excited Varun quipped, “Anjini is my niece and I am her uncle. Please watch the film with your families. Everyone knows that my father David Dhawan never launched me, as my father doesn’t believe in that. Similarly, we have no hand in what she has done; she has done everything on her own and has made us proud. My uncle Anil Dhawan, was present when I made my debut too and today we are all here for Anjini. I have watched the film and have been moved. It is a loving family drama and moreover she is getting to do a movie with a legendary actor like Pankaj Kapur, what more could she ask for?”

Despite being in the film industry currently, Varun admits that he has never really given any words of wisdom to his niece. Elaborating on it, he shared, “I have not given her any tips. I believe everyone has their own journey and I feel good things will happen to her. I only told her to keep her head down and focus on her work. There are numerous freebies on the way but don’t let it tempt you or distract you, keep smiling and go ahead. Whenever we interact I tell her that she has to know that the path is not going to be easy and she has to work hard at it.”

With that harsh reality presented to her in the most loving and caring way, Anjini is ready to be the torch bearer for the next gen Dhawans. How the audience will take to her, that’s yet to be determined but it is obvious that she will uphold the Dhawan legacy as she moves ahead in life and her career.