Entertainment
Bawaal cast promise emotional churn at Dubai trailer launch
Bawaal, featuring Varun Dhawan and Jahnvi Kapoor, is releasing on Prime Video on July 21.
The cast and crew for Prime Video’s upcoming release Bawaal took stage at the magnificent QE II ship in Dubai to reveal details ahead of the July 21 premiere.
Directed by Nitesh Tiwari, and starring Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor, Bawaal is a timeless love story by under the production banner Nadiadwala Grandson Entertainment in collaboration with Nitesh and his wife Ashwiny Iyer’s Earthsky Pictures. Bawaal will land on the OTT platform in India and across 200 countries and territories.
Bawaal means chaos in Hindi. The film revolves around a high school history teacher Ajay Dixit, who enjoys mini celebrityhood in his town courtesy the fake image he has built about himself. Circumstances compel him to embark on a World War II trail in Europe, and he is forced to take along his newly-wed wife Nisha, with whom he shares a strained relationship. What follows is a stirring series of events that test his marriage and force him to confront the emotional battles within. Shot in India and multiple international locales, this love story has a meaningful message, which is sure to resonate with audiences worldwide.
“Every man has a bawaal (stir) to face internally and externally, but the ones within are the hardest, and I have tried to bring it out,” said Nitesh Tiwari. The director of films such as Dangal and Chichchore refused to reveal the details of choosing the World War setting behind telling a personal story. “For me a movie is not over when it is over. My films should make one take a pause, get to reflect on atleast one or two things, that should be what it must leave, hopefully, everyone with.”
Both lead actors revealed how they always wanted to work with the director and how they were not automatic picks as it happens in many Bollywood films. Dhawan said: “Usually it is me hopping around from one place to another to promote a film. But I am pretty confident I have given a good performance in the film … such that I am confident I will be doing the most of the talking after the film with you.”
Manish Menghani, Director of Content Licensing for Prime Video India, said: “Bawaal is an exceptional film, that is truly meant for the global stage. We’re constantly looking for stories that push boundaries and scale new heights in our endeavour to satiate the entertainment needs of our customers. We’re excited to see how many more milestones this film helps us cross when it premieres on Prime Video.”
Tiwari added, “Great love stories deserve to be experienced and they always find a medium to reach an audience. Over the years, some of these stories have become true epics, not because of a grandiose scale but because of the heart-stringing, gut-wrenching essence that makes the audience feel every emotion.
Kapoor said: “As actors we play roles that are either made for us, or ones that we adapt to. But rarely do we get the opportunity to embody a role so coveted that offers an actor more scope to perform. In Bawaal, Nisha (her screen name) is taking a journey that will make you look beyond the surface into her life, her love, and everything in between.”
The trailer launch also saw the release of Tumhe Kitna Pyar Karte, a song from the film performed by Arijit Singh in an opulent wedding setting. “It’s my favourite right now and it is a song that will keep growing and transcend,” Dhawan said.
Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.
The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.
The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.
Ticket prices
Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.
Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.
Other ticket options
- Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
- Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
- Friday: Dh75
- Under 15s: Free
- People of Determination + carer: Dh375
Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.
Bigger family attractions
Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.
The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.
Six sports and top rugby action
Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.
Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.
The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.
The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.
Music all weekend
Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.
Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.
For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.
With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.
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