Hai Jawani Toh: Why David Dhawan, Vashu Bhagnani are fighting in Rs 400 crore case?

A reused Bollywood hit song has snowballed into one of the industry’s biggest legal battles this year. What began as producer Vashu Bhagnani alleging an “ethical” breach over the use of songs from Biwi No. 1 (1999) has now escalated into a Rs 400 crore court fight involving filmmaker David Dhawan, Ramesh Taurani and Tips Industries Limited.

At the centre of the dispute are two popular tracks, Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai, which have been used in the upcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai allegedly without Bhagnani’s consent.

The controversy has only intensified as the film moves closer to release. Ironically, even the film’s title is borrowed from a song lyric from Biwi No. 1, originally picturised on Salman Khan and Sushmita Sen.

While a recreated version of Chunnari Chunnari has already been unveiled, the title track video is still awaited. Between a delayed trailer launch, public sparring between Bhagnani and Taurani, and social media criticism over the remixed version of the song, the film has remained in headlines for reasons unrelated to its comedy premise.

What is Vashu Bhagnani alleging?

Vashu Bhagnani, of Puja Entertainment, has repeatedly maintained that his objection is not primarily financial. According to him, the issue is about ethics, consent and intellectual property rights.

“My fight is for the public. It is about justice and ethics,” he said during a virtual press interaction.

The producer has claimed that he was never consulted before songs and visuals from Biwi No. 1 were allegedly incorporated into Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.

According to Bhagnani, the dispute traces back to the aftermath of Coolie No. 1 (1995), which was produced by Puja Entertainment and directed by David Dhawan. He said there had been discussions around future collaborations involving Varun Dhawan and Rohit Dhawan before David Dhawan and Ramesh Taurani eventually joined hands for the new film.

“Three months later, I learned that Ramesh Taurani and David Dhawan had joined hands to make a film. I felt a little bad, but then I realised that I can't stop them. One year later, I saw Chunnari Chunnari was a part of that film. I called David Dhawan and asked them, ‘How can you do this?’” Bhagnani said.

The bigger legal argument

Bhagnani’s legal team argues that while audio rights for Biwi No. 1 songs were sold to Tips at the time of the film’s release, visual rights were never transferred.

“We sold the audio rights of Biwi No. 1 to Tips at the time of release. They were using the video without authority,” Bhagnani alleged.

His lawyer, advocate VK Dubey, later explained that the disagreement hinges on the scope of an older agreement signed years ago.

“At that time, the agreements with Tips allowed only audio rights. In 2018, Tips had emailed us asking for visual rights. Vashu Bhagnani had replied, but the matter was never settled,” Dubey told ANI.

Bhagnani has also framed the issue as a breakdown of professional courtesy within the industry.

“How can David Dhawan use the same songs from our film in his son’s movie, that too for a Ramesh Taurani production? There should be some ethics in the industry,” he said.

According to Bhagnani, the matter could have been resolved through a conversation.

“At least he should have called and told me, ‘Vashu ji, main same gaana mere bete ke liye kar raha hoon (I am using the same song for my son’s film). I hope you don't have an objection. Please support.’ I would have given the NOC and would not have minded,” he added.

The trailer launch controversy

The dispute first became publicly visible when the trailer launch of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, originally scheduled for May 21, was abruptly cancelled.

The makers cited a “technical glitch” for the postponement. However, reports soon linked the delay to Bhagnani’s legal action seeking to restrain the alleged unauthorised use of songs and videos from Biwi No. 1.

The trailer was eventually launched in Mumbai on May 23 in the presence of the cast and makers. The trailer featured the songs at the heart of the row.

At the event, Taurani attempted to downplay the controversy despite having received a legal notice.

“There is no problem in this. Whatever we had has been sorted,” Taurani said, while adding that neither the film’s promotions nor release would be affected. “And whatever comes next will also be sorted. So, there is no problem. It is a sub judice matter, and we are handling it,” he added.

Watch the trailer here:

What is Tips Industries saying?

Two days after the trailer launch, Tips issued an official statement on Instagram rejecting Bhagnani’s allegations.

The company further said that it was the “absolute and lawful owner” of the relevant copyrights connected to the disputed works.

“Tips categorically maintains that it is the absolute and lawful owner of the relevant copyrights and associated rights in the said works,” the statement read.

The company further stated that it had secured relief from the Supreme Court through an order dated May 22, 2026. “Tips remains committed to protecting its rights and is actively pursuing all appropriate legal remedies,” the statement added.

Pooja Entertainment’s counsel later claimed that the Supreme Court order had been obtained without notice being served to them and said they were moving to challenge it.

Here is the statement:

Why has the legal fight escalated now?

On May 29, Bhagnani filed another suit seeking urgent relief from the Bombay High Court.

The new petition seeks to restrain the release, distribution, streaming and commercial exploitation of Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai and all promotional material carrying the disputed songs.

According to a press release issued by Puja Entertainment, the production house has demanded:

• Removal of Chunnari Chunnari and Ishq Sona Hai from the film.
• Removal of the songs from promotional material.
• A title change for Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai.
• Additional damages of Rs 100 crore if the disputed works continue to be used.

The production house has alleged that the defendants commercially exploited the original audiovisual works “without authority, assignment or licence”.

Advocate Dubey also confirmed that Bhagnani has filed a Rs 400 crore claim against Tips.

What is the film about?

Amid the legal turmoil, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai continues to position itself as a commercial comedy entertainer.

The film marks the fourth collaboration between David Dhawan and Varun Dhawan. It stars Varun alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, and revolves around a chaotic love triangle and a comedy of errors.

The supporting cast includes Rakesh Bedi, Chunky Panday, Jimmy Sheirgill, Mouni Roy, Rajesh Kumar and Ali Asgar.

For now, the controversy remains a tangled mix of legacy rights, bruised industry relationships and competing interpretations of who owns one of Bollywood’s most recognisable musical catalogues.

Bhagnani insists the fight is about ethics and consent. Tips maintains it lawfully owns the rights. Taurani says there is "no problem." The courts, ultimately, will decide where the line between ownership and overreach truly lies.