When David Dhawan decided to reboot his own 1997 cult classic, people were skeptical. It’s hard to blame them. Replacing Salman Khan—the man who basically defined the "tapori" and "geek" dual-role archetype in the nineties—is a tall order for anyone. But the cast of Judwaa 2 wasn't just a random assortment of trendy actors. It was a calculated mix of legacy direction, Gen-Z appeal, and a surprisingly high energy level that most comedies today lack. Released in 2017, the movie leaned heavily into the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" philosophy.
Varun Dhawan stepped into the shoes of Raja and Prem. This wasn't just a casting choice; it was a passing of the torch. Varun has always been vocal about his idolization of Govinda and Salman Khan, and you can see that DNA in his performance. He plays Raja, the street-smart kid from Mumbai, with a frantic, rubber-faced energy that feels like a throwback to 90s masala cinema. Then there’s Prem, the timid, soft-spoken brother living in London. The contrast is the whole point of the movie.
The Core Trio: Varun, Jacqueline, and Taapsee
The heavy lifting is done by the three leads. While Varun is the engine, Jacqueline Fernandez and Taapsee Pannu provide the necessary fuel. Honestly, their roles are classic "David Dhawan heroines." They aren't there to deconstruct the patriarchy; they’re there to dance, look glamorous, and get caught up in the slapstick confusion.
Jacqueline Fernandez plays Alishka. She’s essentially the modern version of Karisma Kapoor’s character from the original. Jacqueline brings that bubbly, high-octane screen presence she’s known for. Her chemistry with the "Raja" version of Varun in songs like "Tan Tane Tan Tan" was a major reason why the film’s marketing took off. She handles the physical comedy well, which is actually harder than it looks when you’re surrounded by chaos.
Taapsee Pannu, playing Samara, was perhaps the most interesting addition to the cast of Judwaa 2. At the time, Taapsee was becoming the face of serious, "pink-tinged" social dramas. Seeing her in a bright, colorful, mindless comedy was a bit of a shock to the system for many critics. She played the love interest to the nerdy Prem. While her role didn't require the emotional depth of her other work, she brought a certain groundedness to the London segments of the film.
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The Supporting Players You Might Have Forgotten
A comedy like this lives or dies by its character actors. David Dhawan knows this better than anyone. He filled the periphery with people who know exactly how to play "loud."
- Pavan Malhotra plays Officer Dhillon. He’s the guy trying to make sense of the madness. Malhotra is a veteran, and having him play the foil to Varun’s antics adds a layer of legitimacy to the London sequences.
- Rajpal Yadav is a legend in this genre. In the original, Shakti Kapoor played the iconic Nandu. In the 2017 version, Rajpal takes over a similar role as Raja’s loyal sidekick. He has this stuttering gimmick that, while a bit dated for some, fits perfectly within the exaggerated universe of a Dhawan film.
- Anupam Kher appears as Balraj Bakshi, Samara's father. Kher is a regular in the Dhawan cinematic universe. His presence feels like a warm hug for fans of 90s Bollywood. He plays the wealthy, slightly confused father figure with the ease of someone who could do this in his sleep.
- Ali Asgar and Upasana Singh also make appearances. If you’ve watched Indian television over the last decade, you recognize them instantly from Comedy Nights with Kapil. Their inclusion was a smart move to capture the massive TV-watching demographic in India.
Why This Cast Faced So Much Pressure
It wasn't just about making a funny movie. The cast of Judwaa 2 had to deal with the "nostalgia trap." The 1997 original is beloved. Every time Varun Dhawan did a press interview, he was asked about Salman Khan.
The production team handled this by leaning into the legacy. They didn't try to reinvent the wheel. They even brought back the original music directors, Anu Malik, to rework "Oonchi Hai Building" and "Chalti Hai Kya 9 Se 12." When the cast performed these songs, it wasn't just a movie scene; it was a cultural callback.
Interestingly, the film includes a cameo that basically served as a seal of approval. Salman Khan appears at the very end as the "original" Raja and Prem. It’s a brief moment, but it’s the most important scene for the fans. It bridged the gap between the two generations. Without that cameo, the new cast might have felt like pretenders. With it, they felt like the legitimate successors.
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The Technical Side of the Performance
Playing a double role isn't just about changing clothes. For Varun Dhawan, it meant filming every scene twice. He had to react to nothing. He had to time his jokes so that they would land when his "other self" was edited in later.
The film uses the concept of "reflex action." When one twin gets hit, the other feels it. When one kisses a girl, the other starts puckering up. This requires incredible physical coordination from the lead actor. Varun spent months working on the body language to make Raja and Prem feel like two distinct human beings despite looking identical.
Behind the Scenes and Casting Choices
Did you know that the producers initially considered different pairings for the female leads? Rumors at the time floated several names, but Jacqueline and Taapsee were finalized because of their contrasting vibes. Jacqueline is the "glam" factor, while Taapsee is the "girl next door." This contrast mirrors the difference between Raja and Prem.
The film was shot extensively in London. This changed the dynamic of the cast of Judwaa 2 compared to the original, which was much more Mumbai-centric. The international setting gave the actors a different playground. It allowed for more "fish out of water" humor, especially for Raja, the "tapori" character who finds himself in the posh streets of the UK.
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Critical Reception vs. Box Office Reality
Critics weren't exactly kind to the film. They called it loud, regressive, and illogical. But look at the numbers. The film was a "Super Hit." It earned over ₹200 crore globally. Why? Because the cast understood the assignment.
They weren't trying to win National Awards. They were trying to entertain families on a Sunday afternoon. Varun Dhawan’s energy is infectious. Even if you hate the jokes, it’s hard to look away from his commitment to the bit. He isn't "acting" like he’s in a silly movie; he is in that movie, 100%.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Cinephiles
If you're revisiting the film or watching it for the first time, keep an eye on these specific details to truly appreciate what the cast did:
- Watch the background dancers: In the big musical numbers, the synchronization between Varun and the background cast is flawless. This highlights the rigorous rehearsal process led by choreographers like Ganesh Acharya.
- Observe the "Mirror" scenes: The scenes where Raja and Prem meet for the first time involve complex camera work. Notice how Varun changes his eye line to match where his "twin" would be standing.
- Spot the references: The movie is littered with nods to Salman Khan’s career. From the way Raja wears his jacket to certain dialogue deliveries, the cast pays homage to the 1997 original constantly.
To truly understand the impact of the cast of Judwaa 2, you have to look at it as a piece of "comfort cinema." It’s designed to be familiar. It uses a cast that feels like family to the Indian audience. Whether it's the veteran comedy of Rajpal Yadav or the modern stardom of Varun Dhawan, every piece of the puzzle was placed to maximize "paisa vasool" (value for money) entertainment.
If you want to dive deeper into the film's production, checking out the "Making Of" videos on YouTube is a great move. You'll see the sheer amount of work Varun put into the dual-role sequences, which often involved him talking to a green pole or a stand-in actor who looked nothing like him. It’s a testament to the fact that even "mindless" comedies require a massive amount of technical skill and discipline from their actors.
For those interested in the evolution of Bollywood comedies, comparing the performances of the 1997 cast with the 2017 cast is a fascinating exercise. It shows how the "hero" archetype has shifted from the raw, effortless swagger of Salman Khan to the high-energy, athletic, and more "polished" performance style of Varun Dhawan. Both work for their respective eras, and both prove that the Judwaa formula is surprisingly timeless.