Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, May 11: As political tensions soar between India and Pakistan in the wake of Operation Sindoor, a digital spat has erupted between former co-stars Harshvardhan Rane and Pakistani actor Mawra Hocane—putting the spotlight once again on strained cross-border artistic ties.

The controversy kicked off after Harshvardhan Rane announced on Instagram that he would not return for Sanam Teri Kasam 2 if Mawra Hocane, his co-star from the 2016 romantic drama, was part of the sequel. His announcement came in response to Mawra’s viral post condemning India’s retaliatory airstrikes targeting terror launchpads in Pakistan and PoK following the April 22 Pahalgam attack that killed 26 civilians and security personnel.

In her statement, Mawra called the airstrikes “an unjustified cowardly attack,” claiming that children in Pakistan had died and that India’s actions had caused widespread panic. She later hit back at Rane’s decision, dismissing it as a “PR strategy” and questioned his “common sense” for making such a move during a time of national crisis.

Rane responded firmly via Instagram stories on May 11, saying, “That sounded like an attempt at a personal attack. Fortunately, I have tolerance to overlook such attempts but have zero tolerance for any attack on my nation’s dignity.”

Using a metaphor, he added, “An Indian farmer would pluck out the unwanted weed from his crop—it’s called weeding. The farmer doesn’t need a PR team for this act, it’s called common sense.” He clarified that his choice to withdraw from the film was not a publicity stunt but a personal, patriotic decision.

While refraining from directly naming Mawra or resorting to insults, Rane emphasised, “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.”

The original Sanam Teri Kasam enjoyed sleeper-hit status and witnessed renewed popularity following its 2025 re-release. However, the renewed spotlight now revolves around a growing artistic divide. The Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) recently reiterated its longstanding directive against Pakistani artists, urging Indian talent to avoid any collaboration across the border.

The social media exchange has gone viral, with netizens divided some praising Rane’s patriotic stand, others lamenting how political hostilities continue to derail artistic expression.