Janhvi Kapoor, Varun Dhawan embrace June box office clash with playful social media banter
Synopsis
Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan are set for a June box office showdown — 'Peddi' on 4 June, 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' on 5 June — but the two actors have defused any rivalry tension with warm, humorous social media banter. Their prior on-screen chemistry and mutual respect suggest this clash is more celebration than competition.
Key Takeaways
Janhvi Kapoor's 'Peddi' releases on 4 June , co-starring Ram Charan and directed by Buchi Babu Sana .
Varun Dhawan's 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' releases on 5 June , directed by David Dhawan .
Both actors publicly acknowledged the clash on Instagram with playful, affectionate comments. 'Peddi' releases across five languages: Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada. 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' features Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde as female leads alongside Varun .
Janhvi Kapoor and Varun Dhawan are set for a direct box office face-off in June, with their respective films releasing just 24 hours apart — and the two actors have responded to the clash with characteristic warmth and humour on social media.
Janhvi's action-drama 'Peddi', co-starring Ram Charan, will hit theatres on 4 June, while Varun's romantic comedy 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' releases the following day on 5 June. Rather than stoking rivalry, the two actors — who previously starred together in 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' — have publicly acknowledged the clash with camaraderie.
The social media exchange
Janhvi shared a transformation video on Instagram captioned, "Guess we're clashing bitch @varundvn," prompting an immediate response from Varun. He replied, "Omg it's never a clash with u only and u are wow," before resharing her video with his own comment: "It's only a clash off with you @janhvikapoor u are looking wow in pedi. can't wait to watch my friend."
Release date journey for 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai'
'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' has undergone multiple scheduling changes. Originally set for 5 June, the film was pushed to 12 June after Yash-fronted 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups' announced a 4 June release. The makers then rescheduled to 22 May, before ultimately reverting to the original date of 5 June.
Cast and crew of 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai'
Directed by David Dhawan, the film stars Varun alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde in lead roles. The supporting cast includes Rakesh Bedi, Mouni Roy, Chunky Panday, Jimmy Shergill, and Maniesh Paul.
About 'Peddi'
Helmed by Buchi Babu Sana, 'Peddi' features Janhvi and Ram Charan as the primary leads, with Shiva Rajkumar, Divyendu Sharma, and Jagapathi Babu in significant supporting roles. The film will release across multiple languages — Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada — maximising its pan-Indian appeal.
What's next
Both films are positioned as strong contenders for the June box office, with 'Peddi' positioned as an action-drama and 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' as a family-oriented romantic comedy. Industry observers will be watching whether the back-to-back releases divide audiences or whether both films find their respective audiences across genres.
Point of View
The films target different audience appetites. The real story isn't rivalry; it's whether both can coexist profitably in a market still learning to absorb multiple releases.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When do 'Peddi' and 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' release?
'Peddi' starring Janhvi Kapoor and Ram Charan releases on 4 June, while 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' starring Varun Dhawan releases on 5 June. The films will directly compete at the box office for a 24-hour window.
How did Janhvi and Varun react to the box office clash?
Both actors responded positively on social media. Janhvi posted 'Guess we're clashing bitch @varundvn,' and Varun replied warmly, 'It's only a clash off with you @janhvikapoor u are looking wow in pedi. can't wait to watch my friend.' Their exchange reflected camaraderie rather than rivalry.
What is 'Peddi' about and who stars in it?
'Peddi' is an action-drama directed by Buchi Babu Sana, starring Janhvi Kapoor and Ram Charan in lead roles, with Shiva Rajkumar, Divyendu Sharma, and Jagapathi Babu in supporting roles. It will release across Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.
Who are the leads in 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai'?
'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' is directed by David Dhawan and stars Varun Dhawan alongside Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. The supporting cast includes Rakesh Bedi, Mouni Roy, Chunky Panday, Jimmy Shergill, and Maniesh Paul.
Why was 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' delayed multiple times?
The film was originally scheduled for 5 June but was pushed to 12 June after Yash's 'Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups' announced a 4 June release. It was then rescheduled to 22 May before ultimately reverting to its original 5 June release date.
