Harshvardhan Rane has announced that he will not return for the sequel of the romantic Bollywood drama Sanam Teri Kasam if the original cast, including Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane, is retained. While the film has become a fan-favorite over time, hopes for a sequel are now tangled in controversy due to rising political tensions.
Harshvardhan’s Strong Response to Mawra’s Remarks
Harshvardhan made his decision public on Instagram, reacting to Mawra Hocane’s recent comments about India’s military action, Operation Sindoor. In his post, he said:
“While I am grateful for the experience, however, as things stand, and after reading the direct comments made about my country, I have made a decision to respectfully decline to be a part of Sanam Teri Kasam Part 2 if there is any possibility of the previous cast being repeated.”
What Mawra Hocane Said About Operation Sindoor
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated after a terror attack on tourists in Pahalgam on April 22. In response, India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir with 24 precision strikes.
Several Pakistani celebrities criticized India’s actions. Mawra Hocane posted on X (formerly Twitter):
“Strongly condemn India’s cowardly attack on Pakistan… Innocent civilians have lost their lives… May Allah protect us all… May sense prevail… Ya Allah ho Ya Hafizo.”
Fans Back Harshvardhan’s Stand
After Harshvardhan’s post surfaced on Reddit, fans showered him with support. Some of the top comments include:
- “United we stand tall. Respect.”
- “RESPECT. Rane, you are the best! By the way, Sanam Teri Kasam is famous due to Harshvardhan Rane and the music — the other party doesn’t matter much. Peace.”
- “He has a spine! Proud of him!”
About Sanam Teri Kasam
Sanam Teri Kasam was released in 2016 and marked the Bollywood debut of Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane. Directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, and produced by Deepak Mukut, the film featured a strong supporting cast including Anurag Sinha, Manish Chaudhari, Murli Sharma, and Sudesh Berry.
Although it didn’t perform well at the box office during its original release, the film became a surprise success after its re-release in February 2025, crossing ₹53 crore globally — with ₹45 crore coming from the re-release alone. It even outperformed several new movies and became the highest-grossing Bollywood re-release of all time.
