Jaaved Jaaferi on Dhamaal 4: Playing Manav keeps getting more fun
Synopsis
Jaaved Jaaferi says the secret to keeping a franchise character fresh isn't reinvention — it's discipline. His answer on why Manav can't go Gen Z, and why good writing is the only safety net an actor has, is the most candid take from the Dhamaal 4 promotions so far.
Key Takeaways
Jaaved Jaaferi plays Manav in 'Dhamaal 4' , releasing on 10 July 2026 .
Jaaferi says portraying a character across multiple films adds fun, not monotony, as long as the actor stays within the character's boundaries.
He credited strong writing as the key driver of consistent franchise performance, warning that poor source material leaves actors with 'two problems'.
Jaaferi ruled out modernising Manav with Gen Z humour, saying such a shift would be out of character for the franchise.
The film is directed by Indra Kumar and produced by Ajay Devgn , Bhushan Kumar , and others under T-Series Films and Panorama Studios .
Actor Jaaved Jaaferi says reprising his role as Manav in the upcoming comedy 'Dhamaal 4' has only deepened his enjoyment of the character — not dulled it. Speaking during the film's promotions in Mumbai alongside director Indra Kumar and co-star Arshad Warsi, Jaaferi pushed back on the idea that familiarity breeds monotony for franchise actors.
Why Familiarity Adds Fun, Not Fatigue
Jaaferi explained that a longer run with a character gives an actor sharper instincts about what resonates with audiences. 'It's more fun because you are enjoying the character. You are trying to think, while remaining within the parameters of that character. You constantly think, ‘What more can I add?’ without going out of the parameters. The main thing is, you have to stay within the boundaries of the character,' he said.
He emphasised that the actor's craft in a franchise lies precisely in that creative tension — finding fresh notes without straying from the character's established identity.
The Role of Writing in Franchise Performance
Jaaferi credited strong writing as the backbone of a consistent franchise performance. 'All the actors understand the limits of the characters that they portray. Rest, the writing is so good that it brings out a good performance naturally. When the writing is not good, the actor has two problems,' he noted.
He drew on his own family legacy to illustrate the point, recalling conversations from his father's era: 'During my father's time, I have seen people saying, ‘Sir, you do something, I have got the hero for only 2 hours, you do something.’ But what can we do if the source material isn't given to us?'
Why Manav Can't Go Gen Z
Jaaferi also addressed the question of whether the Dhamaal franchise needs to modernise its humour to stay relevant. His answer was an emphatic no — at least for the existing characters. 'Making a new Gen Z joke is not ‘Dhamaal’. If a Gen Z kid comes then he might add that character. Our character can’t become a Gen Z,' he said.
The remark signals that the creative team is betting on the franchise's original comedic DNA rather than chasing trend-driven reinvention — a conscious choice that distinguishes long-running Indian comedy franchises from their Western counterparts, which often reboot entirely.
About Dhamaal 4
'Dhamaal 4' is directed by Indra Kumar and produced by Ajay Devgn, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Ashok Thakeria, Indra Kumar, Anand Pandit, and Kumar Mangat Pathak. Presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series, in association with Devgn Films, it is a T-Series Films, Maruti International, and Panorama Studios production. The film is set to release on 10 July 2026.
Point of View
Not reinvention. That's a defensible position for a comedy franchise built on ensemble chemistry, but it also carries risk: Bollywood's comedy landscape has shifted sharply since the last Dhamaal instalment, and nostalgia alone rarely fills multiplexes. The real test on 10 July will be whether the writing Jaaferi praises actually delivers — because when it doesn't, as he himself noted, the actor is left holding two problems with no script to solve them.
NationPress
4 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jaaved Jaaferi in Dhamaal 4?
Jaaved Jaaferi plays the character Manav in 'Dhamaal 4', a role he has reprised across multiple instalments of the franchise. He is one of the ensemble leads alongside Arshad Warsi, with the film directed by Indra Kumar.
When does Dhamaal 4 release?
'Dhamaal 4' is set to release on 10 July 2026. It is presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series, in association with Devgn Films.
Does Jaaved Jaaferi find playing the same character repetitive?
No — Jaaferi says the opposite is true. He explained that a deeper familiarity with the character makes it more enjoyable, as the actor learns to find new layers while staying within established boundaries.
Why won't the Dhamaal characters adopt Gen Z humour?
Jaaferi said that introducing Gen Z jokes would be inconsistent with the existing characters' identities. He noted that a new Gen Z character could be added separately, but the core characters like Manav cannot be retrofitted with that sensibility.
Who is producing Dhamaal 4?
'Dhamaal 4' is produced by Ajay Devgn, Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, Ashok Thakeria, Indra Kumar, Anand Pandit, and Kumar Mangat Pathak, under T-Series Films, Maruti International, and Panorama Studios.
