Dishoom at 10: Varun Dhawan recalls 'best time' with John Abraham
Synopsis
Ten years after Dishoom hit screens, Varun Dhawan's Instagram throwback is a reminder of how warmly the cast remembers a shoot that took them to the UAE for a high-energy buddy-cop adventure — and a hint that the world of Junaid and Kabir may not be entirely closed.
Key Takeaways
Varun Dhawan marked 10 years of Dishoom with throwback Instagram pictures alongside John Abraham and Jacqueline Fernandez .
Varun's caption noted the film was shot largely in the UAE and hinted at a possible return: 'anytime india ko bura kahaan toh dishoom can be back.' Dishoom (2016), directed by Rohit Dhawan , starred Varun and John as officers on a 36-hour rescue mission in the Middle East.
Cameos in the original film featured Parineeti Chopra , Akshay Kumar , and Nargis Fakhri .
Varun was last seen in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai , released on 5 June , directed by David Dhawan .
Actor Varun Dhawan marked a decade of the action-comedy Dishoom with a warm trip down memory lane, sharing throwback moments from the film's shoot alongside co-stars John Abraham and Jacqueline Fernandez. The nostalgic celebration unfolded on Instagram, where Varun posted carousel pictures capturing candid camaraderie from behind the scenes.
What Varun Shared
In his Instagram post, Varun captioned the throwback pictures: 'Toh Dishoom Had the best time making a film with my brothers rohit @thejohnabraham @jacquelienefernandez. We shot a large portion of it in UAE. How time flies but anytime india ko bura kahaan toh dishoom can be back. 10 years.' The carousel offered a glimpse of his bond with Abraham — the two posing together — alongside lighter, goofier moments shared with Fernandez.
About the Film
Released in 2016, Dishoom was directed by Rohit Dhawan and featured Varun and John in the roles of police officers Junaid Ansari and Kabir Shergill respectively. The plot centred on a high-stakes 36-hour rescue mission after India's top cricketer went missing in the Middle East — pairing two officers of contrasting personalities against the clock. Parineeti Chopra, Akshay Kumar, and Nargis Fakhri featured in special cameo appearances.
A Decade of Dishoom
The film's tenth anniversary marks a milestone for a project that was shot extensively in the UAE, lending it a distinctive visual identity unusual for mainstream Hindi action-comedies of its era. Notably, the reunion post signals continued affection among the cast and crew for what was, by most accounts, an unusually smooth production.
What Varun Has Been Up To
Most recently, Varun Dhawan appeared in the romantic comedy Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, directed by David Dhawan. The ensemble cast included Chunky Panday, Jimmy Shergill, Rakesh Bedi, and Maniesh Paul, with Mouni Roy in a special appearance. The film released in theatres on 5 June.
Point of View
With its conditional sequel tease, is a calculated move that costs nothing but keeps the IP in conversation. Whether that translates into a genuine Dishoom 2 depends on whether the original's box-office legacy still carries commercial weight a decade on — which, for a mid-2010s action-comedy, is not a given.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Dishoom trending in 2025?
Dishoom is trending because the film is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, and actor Varun Dhawan shared nostalgic throwback pictures on Instagram recalling the shoot with John Abraham and Jacqueline Fernandez.
Where was Dishoom filmed?
A large portion of Dishoom was filmed in the UAE, which formed the backdrop for the film's Middle East-set rescue mission storyline.
Who directed Dishoom and who were the lead actors?
Dishoom was directed by Rohit Dhawan. The film starred Varun Dhawan as officer Junaid Ansari and John Abraham as officer Kabir Shergill, with Jacqueline Fernandez in a key role.
Did Varun Dhawan hint at a Dishoom sequel?
In his anniversary Instagram post, Varun wrote 'anytime india ko bura kahaan toh dishoom can be back,' which fans have interpreted as a light-hearted hint at a possible sequel, though no official announcement has been made.
What is Varun Dhawan's latest film?
Varun Dhawan was most recently seen in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, a romantic comedy directed by David Dhawan, which released in theatres on 5 June alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde.
