Harshvardhan Rane: From Telugu Films to Pan Indian Star

Bollywood actor Harshvardhan Rane defended his altercation with Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane over her criticism of Operation Sindoor, stating that he believes in standing up for his country. However, he added, ‘Dignity doesn’t require putting someone else down.’

India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, targeting terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation for the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The operation triggered controversy and heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.

Rane on Mawra Clash:

Harshvardhan Rane officially refused to join Sanam Teri Kasam 2 if the original cast, including Mawra Hocane, remained onboard. Hocane had sparked outrage by calling Operation Sindoor a ‘cowardly attack’ in a post on X. Rane condemned her remarks and reaffirmed his loyalty to India, stating on Instagram, ‘India comes first.’ When fans praised his stance and patriotism, Hocane dismissed it as a ‘PR stunt,’ which further fueled the dispute. In response to the controversy, Sanam Teri Kasam creators Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru voiced support for removing Pakistani actors from Indian films.

Operation Sindoor:
Many in India hailed Operation Sindoor as a strong response to terrorism, marked by 24 pinpoint strikes on nine terror launch pads. However, the escalation of tensions led to a fragile ceasefire after Pakistan claimed civilian casualties and responded with drone strikes. The operation also sparked conversations about films, as people cited Bollywood movies like Sky Force and Uri: The Surgical Strike for depicting similar military actions.

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Harshvardhan Rane in Telugu Movies:
After debuting in Telugu cinema with Thakita Thakita (2010), Harshvardhan Rane played prominent roles in Naa Ishtam (2012) opposite Genelia D’Souza, Avunu (2012) with Poorna, where reviewers praised his powerful performance, and Prema Ishq Kaadhal (2013) as a melancholy musician. He starred alongside Nayanthara in Anaamika, portrayed a fashion designer in Maaya, shared the screen with Anjali in Geethanjali, and appeared briefly in Brother of Bommali in 2014. Rane also acted in Bengal Tiger (2015), Avunu 2 (2015), and Fidaa (2017). His diverse roles have cemented his popularity in Tollywood.