Varun Dhawan Ditches Janhvi Kapoor for His Dog Joey in Dance Video—Too Cute or Just a Gimmick?

Bollywood’s lovable goofball, Varun Dhawan, has pulled off a viral moment that’s equal parts adorable and eyebrow-raising. In a playful video, the actor grooves to the nostalgic track “Bijuria” from his upcoming film Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari—but not with his co-star Janhvi Kapoor. Instead, Varun shares the spotlight with his pet dog Joey and cheekily captions it: “Found the best dance partner… Sorry Janhvi Kapoor.” The clip has everyone laughing—but beneath the laughter, some are wondering if this is too easy a publicity stunt.

Pet Love or Publicity Overload?

Don’t get me wrong—Joey does steal the show. The duo’s syncs, Joey’s adorably enthusiastic hook steps, and Varun’s mock-serious apology to Janhvi hit a sweet spot between fun and fandom. But is it genuine spontaneity or a calculated clickbait move? Fans are quick to call it “one of the funniest promo bits of the season,” but critics whisper: "Another cute fallback to craft engagement when the real dance numbers aren't enough?"

The Real Bijuria Buzz

Let’s not forget what’s being promoted here. Bijuria, reimagined for Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, is a remix of a 90s classic crooned by Sonu Nigam—now with fresh energy from Tanishk Bagchi. The original, full-of-heart version, was a crowd favorite; this remix aims to modernize nostalgia for party playlists. Varun previously shared that working with Janhvi and hearing OG Sonu Nigam behind the mic was a highlight. Yet, a pet replaces his co-star in this high-energy promo—raising questions about where the real attention belongs.

Fans React—Cutest Viral Ever or Too Much Pet Overkill?

Reactions are split between giggles and side-eye:

• “Joey has had enough,” teased co-star Pooja Hegde.

• “Joeyyyyyyyyyy,” gushed Mouni Roy with multiple heart-eyed emojis.

Still, some wonder if Sanya Malhotra—also in the cast—is being sidelined entirely in favor of a fluffy distraction. Meanwhile, fans on social media appreciated the joy but quietly asked themselves if a real dance-off with Janhvi might have served the song better.

Final Take: Isn’t It Just a Gimmick Disguised as Cute?

Varun Dhawan’s Joey-led dance is catchy, shareable, and undeniably entertaining. But calling this moment genius risks overlooking a bigger issue: when promotions lean too hard on pets or memes, what does it say about a film’s ability to stand on actual choreography and star power? If the highlight is your dog outshining your lead actress… maybe it's time to rethink the strategy.