Mumbai: ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’ actor Harshvardhan Rane on Sunday clapped back at Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane for calling his threat to exit from the film’s sequel a ‘PR Strategy.’
Taking a dig at Rane’s statement to turn down the sequel if she is cast in it, Mawra had said, “Someone I expected to have basic common sense has risen from deep slumber with a PR strategy… While our nations are at war, this is what you come up with? A PR statement to get attention? What a pity!”
Hitting back at Mawra for her remark, Rane wrote on his Instagram handle, “That sounded like an attempt at personal attack. Fortunately, I have tolerance to overlook such attempts – but have zero tolerance for any attack on my nation’s dignity”.
“An Indian farmer would pluck out the unwanted weed from his crop its called WEEDING, the farmer doesnt need a PR team for this act, its called common sense. I simply offered to step down from Part 2. I am fully within my rights to choose not to work with individuals who label my country’s actions as ‘cowardly’,” he added.
“So much hate in her speech, so many personal remarks. I never mentioned her name or resorted to calling her names. Didn’t attack her dignity as a woman. I intend to maintain that standard,” he concluded.
For the unversed, when Mawra and other Pakistani actors condemned India’s Operation Sindoor, Harshvardhan declared that he would respectfully decline the sequel if the original cast returns.
“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. Harshvardhan Rane, 10-5-25,” he wrote.
Harshvardhan also shared a screenshot of Mawra’s post condemning Operation Sindoor, which read as, “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.”
Written and directed by Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, and produced by Deepak Mukut, ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’ featured Harshvardhan and Mawra in lead roles.
Though the film failed to leave cash registers at the box office on its release, it did leave the audience impressed on its re-run earlier this year.