The 1993 action thriller Aankhen and 1999 comedy Biwi No.1 earned him nominations for the Filmfare Award for Best Director.

1, Deewana Mastana (all 1997), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Haseena Maan Jaayegi (1999), Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000), Jodi No.1 (2001), Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (2003), Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004), Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya?

Watching the Bengali film Meghe Dhaka Tara, directed by Ritwik Ghatak, made him interested in filmmaking and passed with a gold medal.

[10] His 1993 film Aankhen, starring Govinda, Chunky Pandey and Kader Khan, was highly successful at the box office, and earned him his first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Director.

He then formed a collaboration with Govinda and directed 18 films with him as the leading actor, including Swarg (1990), Shola Aur Shabnam (1992), Aankhen (1993), Raja Babu (1994), Coolie No.

[15] The same year, Salman Khan invited Dhawan[16] and Govinda[17] on his show 10 Ka Dum to celebrate Partner.