Varun Dhawan swaps luxury sedan for rickshaw ride, promotes 'Wow' track across Mumbai streets
Synopsis
Varun Dhawan ditched the luxury sedan for a Mumbai auto-rickshaw, syncing the moment to his new track 'Wow' from Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The stunt — part organic, part calculated — reveals how Bollywood is pivoting promotional strategy toward authenticity and relatability as audiences tire of polished celebrity distance.
Key Takeaways
Actor Varun Dhawan posted a video of himself riding in a Mumbai auto-rickshaw on 5 May , synced to his song "Wow." "Wow" features vocals by Harrdy Sandhu and Kiran Bajwa , composed by Tanishk Bagchi , Rony Ajnali , and Gill Machhrai .
Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai releases on 5 June , directed by David Dhawan .
The film stars Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde alongside Dhawan .
Dhawan also shared behind-the-scenes choreography footage, highlighting the labour behind the hook steps.
Actor Varun Dhawan stepped out of his usual luxury car on May 5 and took to Mumbai's streets aboard an auto-rickshaw, sharing the unscripted moment on social media. The candid video, posted to his Instagram, shows the actor enjoying the local commute while lip-syncing to his upcoming film's lead single.
The 'Wow' moment goes viral
Dhawan captioned the rickshaw clip "Rickshaw is wow," layering his latest track — also titled "Wow" — from his forthcoming romantic comedy Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. The song, featuring vocals by Harrdy Sandhu and Kiran Bajwa, has been composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Rony Ajnali, and Gill Machhrai, with lyrics by Rony and Gill. The pairing of the actor's real-world commute with the track's infectious hook has already drawn attention from fans tracking the film's promotional cycle.
Behind-the-scenes rehearsal breakdown
Days earlier, Dhawan had posted a behind-the-scenes clip from "Wow's" choreography sessions, revealing the rigorous preparation that underpins the polished final product. In the video, he rehearsed the hook steps with choreographers Bosco Martis, Aryan Patra, and Ankan Sen, emphasizing the gap between what audiences see and the labour that precedes it. He wrote: "The work that nobody sees makes the step which everyone sees #wow."
Film release and ensemble cast
Directed by David Dhawan, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai is slated to release on 5 June. The romantic comedy features an ensemble cast including Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. The film is backed by Tips Films Ltd and co-produced by Maximillian Films (UK).
Marketing through authenticity
The rickshaw stunt reflects a broader promotional strategy centred on organic, relatable moments rather than traditional celebrity posturing. By pairing real-world commuting with a song designed for mass consumption, Dhawan is positioning the film as accessible and grounded — a contrast to the polished, high-budget aesthetic typical of Bollywood romance vehicles.
Point of View
Dhawan is not just selling a song; he is selling the idea that his film understands ordinary life. Whether the film itself delivers on that promise is another matter.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Varun Dhawan ride a rickshaw in Mumbai?
Dhawan rode the auto-rickshaw as part of the promotional campaign for his upcoming film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai. He synced the unscripted moment to his new track 'Wow' from the film, positioning it as an organic, relatable promotional gesture.
When does Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai release?
The film is scheduled to release on 5 June. It is directed by David Dhawan and features an ensemble cast including Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde.
Who are the singers of the 'Wow' track?
The song 'Wow' features vocals by Harrdy Sandhu and Kiran Bajwa. It has been composed by Tanishk Bagchi, Rony Ajnali, and Gill Machhrai, with lyrics by Rony and Gill.
What did Varun Dhawan reveal about the 'Wow' choreography?
In a behind-the-scenes video, Dhawan showed the rigorous rehearsal process behind the hook steps, working with choreographers Bosco Martis, Aryan Patra, and Ankan Sen. He emphasized that audiences see the polished final step but rarely witness the labour that precedes it.
