Varun Dhawan has pulled back the curtain on the intense preparation behind his latest dance number 'Wow' from the upcoming romantic entertainer 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona', sharing a behind-the-scenes rehearsal video on Instagram on Sunday, April 27. The clip offers fans a raw, unfiltered look at the sweat and energy that goes into perfecting the kind of hook steps that go viral on social media. The film is set to hit cinemas on May 22, 2026.

The Rehearsal Video That Revealed the Real Grind

In the BTS clip, Varun Dhawan is seen drilling his moves with full intensity alongside his choreography team, led by celebrated choreographer Bosco Martis. The actor captioned the post: "The work that nobody sees makes the step which everyone sees #wow @boscomartis Thank u @aryan_patra11 and @ankan_sen7."

The post struck a chord with fans and industry insiders alike, drawing attention to the often-invisible labour behind what audiences experience as effortless performance. Varun has long been regarded as one of Bollywood's most committed dancers, and this video reinforces that reputation with candid, unpolished footage from the rehearsal floor.

Varun Dhawan's Birthday Jam and the 'Wow' Song Launch

Varun Dhawan, who celebrated his birthday on Friday, April 25, personally declared 'Wow' his "birthday jam". Sharing a glimpse of the track on Instagram, he wrote: "My birthday jam is WOW. So excited about this track, thankful to all my people for making this birthday wow. #WOWItsVarunDay #HaiJawaniTohIshqHonaHai in cinemas on 22nd May 2026."

The song features vocals by Harrdy Sandhu and Kiran Bajwa, and has been composed by the trio of Tanishk Bagchi, Rony Ajnali, and Gill Machhrai. The lyrics have been penned by Rony and Gill, giving the number a punchy, contemporary feel designed for maximum dancefloor and social media impact.

What the Artists Said About 'Wow'

Singer Harrdy Sandhu expressed his excitement about the track in an official statement: "From the first listen, WOW had that spark. It's high on energy and super addictive — the kind of song you don't just hear, you feel. Recording this with the bunch of amazing creative collaborators was an absolute blast."

Composer Tanishk Bagchi elaborated on the creative vision behind the number, stating: "With WOW, we wanted to keep it contemporary, punchy, and irresistibly catchy. It's designed to make you move — simple as that. Every artist involved in this track added their own personal touch which elevated my vision for this song."

The combination of Bagchi's production sensibility and Sandhu's energetic vocal delivery positions 'Wow' as a strong contender for one of the summer's most-streamed Bollywood tracks.

Film Details: Cast, Director, and Release

'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona' is directed by David Dhawan, marking another father-son collaboration between the veteran filmmaker and Varun Dhawan. The film boasts a powerhouse ensemble cast including Mouni Roy, Chunky Panday, Maniesh Paul, Jimmy Shergill, Rakesh Bedi, and Ali Asgar in key roles.

The project is backed by Tips Films Ltd and co-produced by Maximillian Films (UK), signalling a cross-border production investment that underscores the film's commercial ambitions. The David Dhawan–Varun Dhawan combination previously delivered blockbusters like 'Main Tera Hero' (2014) and 'Judwaa 2' (2017), building a loyal audience base for their brand of masala entertainment.

Bigger Picture: Bollywood's Dance-First Marketing Strategy

The release of 'Wow' ahead of the film's theatrical debut reflects a well-established Bollywood playbook — launch a high-energy, hook-step-driven song weeks before release to build buzz and drive footfalls. This strategy has proven especially effective in the post-pandemic era, where social media virality of hook steps on platforms like Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts directly translates to box office awareness.

By sharing the rehearsal BTS alongside the song launch, Varun Dhawan adds an authenticity layer to the promotional campaign — humanising the star, rewarding fans with access, and simultaneously generating a second wave of content engagement. With the film's May 22, 2026 release date approaching, audiences can expect more promotional drops in the coming weeks.