Varun Dhawan tries farming, posts rice-planting photos with 'Kheti Shuru'
Synopsis
Varun Dhawan traded the film set for a paddy field, posting images of himself planting rice on Instagram with the caption 'Kheti shuru.' It is a rare off-screen moment for an actor fresh off two major releases — Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai and Border 2 — and it landed with his audience precisely because it was so unexpected.
Key Takeaways
Varun Dhawan shared farming photos on Instagram on 3 September , captioning the post 'Kheti shuru' .
Images showed him planting rice and using a shovel in hands-on agricultural work.
His latest release, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai , is directed by David Dhawan and co-stars Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde .
Border 2 , based on the 1971 war , released on 23 January and was directed by Anurag Singh .
Dhawan made his acting debut in 2012 and recorded 11 consecutive box-office successes between 2012 and 2018.
Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan swapped the film set for the farm on 3 September, sharing a series of images on Instagram that showed him planting rice and working with a shovel in what appeared to be a hands-on agricultural outing. His caption was characteristically brief: 'Kheti shuru' — farming begins.
The Post That Got Attention
The images, posted to Dhawan's Instagram account, showed the actor visibly engaged in fieldwork — a sharp contrast to his usual red-carpet appearances. The post drew wide attention online, with fans and followers reacting to the unexpected rural detour. Dhawan offered no further context beyond the two-word caption.
What Varun Dhawan Has Been Up To
The farming interlude comes as Dhawan wraps a busy stretch on screen. His most recent theatrical release, Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, is a romantic comedy directed by his father David Dhawan — reportedly the elder Dhawan's final directorial outing. The film stars Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde in the lead alongside Varun, with Maniesh Paul, Chunky Panday, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Mouni Roy in supporting roles. The story follows two characters, Jass and Bani, whose marriage unravels over a family planning disagreement, leading Jass into a web of new romance and unexpected complications abroad.
Before that, Dhawan appeared in Border 2, which released on 23 January. The film, presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with J.P. Films, is based on the 1971 war and certain true events, according to Dhawan. It was directed by Anurag Singh and produced by Bhushan Kumar, Krishan Kumar, J.P. Dutta, and Nidhi Dutta. The original Border, directed by J.P. Dutta and released in 1997, remains a landmark war film featuring Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty, and Akshaye Khanna, among others.
A Career Built on Consistent Box-Office Runs
Dhawan's trajectory in Hindi cinema has been notable for its early consistency. He recorded 11 consecutive box-office successes between 2012 and 2018 — a run few contemporaries matched. He began in the industry as an assistant director to Karan Johar on My Name Is Khan before making his acting debut in Johar's Student of the Year in 2012.
Whether the farming post signals a personal retreat, a promotional tease, or simply a day off, Dhawan's followers will be watching his next move closely.
Point of View
And the rustic imagery sits alongside two high-profile films in quick succession. Whether it reflects genuine downtime or careful image management, it does what Instagram celebrity posts are designed to do: keep the name in circulation without saying very much at all.
NationPress
3 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Varun Dhawan post on Instagram?
Varun Dhawan posted a series of photos showing himself planting rice and working with a shovel, captioning them 'Kheti shuru' — meaning 'farming begins.' The post was shared on 3 September and drew significant attention online.
What is Varun Dhawan's latest film?
Varun Dhawan's most recent theatrical release is Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai, a romantic comedy directed by David Dhawan. The film also stars Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde, and is reportedly David Dhawan's final directorial project.
What is Border 2 about?
Border 2 is based on the 1971 war and certain true events, according to Varun Dhawan. It was directed by Anurag Singh, released on 23 January, and presented by Gulshan Kumar and T-Series in association with J.P. Films.
How did Varun Dhawan start his career in Bollywood?
Dhawan began as an assistant director to Karan Johar on My Name Is Khan before making his acting debut in 2012 with Student of the Year. He went on to record 11 consecutive box-office successes between 2012 and 2018.
Is Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai David Dhawan's last film?
The film is reported to be David Dhawan's final directorial outing. It stars Varun Dhawan, Mrunal Thakur, and Pooja Hegde in the lead roles, with Maniesh Paul, Chunky Panday, Jimmy Sheirgill, and Mouni Roy in supporting parts.
