Varun Dhawan wishes Pooja Hegde on birthday: 'Keep being the brightest soul'
Synopsis
Varun Dhawan kept his annual birthday-wish tradition alive for Pooja Hegde, calling her 'the brightest soul' in an Instagram Story — complete with a photo from what is believed to be David Dhawan's final film. The post is a reminder that the playful Varun-Pooja dynamic remains one of Bollywood's more genuinely entertaining off-screen friendships.
Key Takeaways
Varun Dhawan wished Pooja Hegde on her birthday on 13 October 2026 via Instagram Stories.
He called her 'the brightest soul' and referenced shared memories from the film Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai .
The film, directed by David Dhawan , released on 5 June 2026 and is reportedly his last directorial.
The primary cast includes Varun Dhawan , Pooja Hegde , and Mrunal Thakur , with Mouni Roy , Sreeleela , and others in supporting roles.
Varun and Pooja have a well-documented tradition of playful birthday exchanges on social media.
Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan took to social media on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, to share a warm birthday message for his Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai co-star Pooja Hegde, as the actress celebrated another year. The heartfelt post, shared on Varun's official Instagram Stories, featured a photograph of the two posing together in the middle of a water body.
What Varun Said
In his birthday note, Varun wrote: 'Poooooja it's ur bday so I have to be only nice for one day but in all seriousness I wish u get everything u want and keep being the brightest soul I know too many more Aarti's together.' The affectionate message came with a hug emoji, reflecting the easy camaraderie the two share on and off screen.
A Tradition of Playful Wishes
This is not the first time Varun has marked Pooja's birthday with a post that blends warmth with humour. Last year, he had wished her with a characteristically cheeky note: 'Happy bday pooja ji please share ur beauty hacks @hegdepooja and stop being mean to society.' The duo are well known for pulling each other's leg — a dynamic captured in a behind-the-scenes clip released in October last year, where Pooja was seen playfully blaming Varun for making her cry on set, while the two bantered over a makeup artist's 'secret' techniques.
About 'Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai'
The birthday exchange keeps attention on Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, which hit theatres on 5 June 2026. The comedy-drama was directed by David Dhawan, who is believed to have helmed the film as his final directorial venture. The film was produced by Ramesh Taurani under Tips Films and co-produced by Gaurav Bose of Maximilian Films.
The primary cast features Varun, Pooja, and Mrunal Thakur, while Mouni Roy, Kubbra Sait, Maniesh Paul, Rohit Saraf, Rajeev Khandelwal, Nitish Nirmal, and Sreeleela appear in supporting roles.
Varun and Pooja's Off-Screen Bond
The warmth between Varun and Pooja has been a consistent feature of the film's promotional circuit. Their playful exchanges on social media have kept fan interest alive well after the film's release. As Pooja steps into a new year, the friendship — equal parts ribbing and genuine affection — shows little sign of cooling down.
Point of View
But the Varun-Pooja dynamic is worth noting for what it signals about Bollywood's social-media strategy: off-screen chemistry keeps streaming-era audiences invested between releases. That said, the real story here is the continued spotlight on David Dhawan's reportedly final film — a fact buried in a birthday post that deserves more direct coverage. The industry's reluctance to formally confirm or address David Dhawan's directorial retirement is a gap that entertainment journalism has largely left unfilled.
NationPress
13 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Varun Dhawan write for Pooja Hegde's birthday?
Varun Dhawan posted a birthday wish on Instagram Stories calling Pooja Hegde 'the brightest soul he knows' and expressing hope for many more shared memories. He accompanied the message with a photo of the two together.
Which film did Varun Dhawan and Pooja Hegde work on together?
Varun Dhawan and Pooja Hegde starred together in Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, directed by David Dhawan and released on 5 June 2026. The film also featured Mrunal Thakur, Mouni Roy, Sreeleela, and others.
Is Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai David Dhawan's last film?
The film is believed to be David Dhawan's last directorial venture, though no formal announcement has been made. It was produced by Ramesh Taurani under Tips Films and co-produced by Gaurav Bose of Maximilian Films.
How have Varun Dhawan and Pooja Hegde interacted on social media before?
The two have a history of playful birthday exchanges; last year Varun had cheekily asked Pooja to 'share her beauty hacks.' They have also shared behind-the-scenes banter clips from their film shoot.
