Harshvardhan Rane Breaks Silence on Mawra Hocane’s ‘PR Strategy’ Remark

May 12, 2025 — A sharp exchange has erupted between Indian actor Harshvardhan Rane and Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane, former co-stars in the 2016 romantic film Sanam Teri Kasam. The spat began after Harshvardhan announced that he would not be a part of the sequel if Mawra were involved, citing her condemnation of India’s recent military action, Operation Sindoor.

Also Read: ‘Grasshopper Brain Cell Generation’: Kangana Ranaut Blasts Youngsters For This Reason-Watch!

Mawra Hocane, reacting to his statement, dismissed it as nothing more than a “PR strategy,” expressing disappointment at what she described as a desperate attempt for attention during a sensitive geopolitical situation. “Someone I expected to have basic common sense has risen from deep slumber with a PR strategy,” she wrote on Instagram Stories, accusing Harshvardhan of leveraging war for personal publicity.

In response, Harshvardhan took to Instagram and addressed the controversy. Without naming Mawra directly, he said,

“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.”

He went on to explain his decision:

“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. 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’.”

Harshvardhan also criticized Mawra for resorting to personal remarks, stating:

“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.”

Mawra fired back yet again on Sunday, standing by her statement and expressing sorrow over the war’s human cost in her country. “We could all hear explosions… children in my country died due to an unjustified cowardly attack. While our nations are at war, this is what you come up with, a PR statement to get attention? What a pity!”

She condemned the timing of Harshvardhan’s announcement, writing:

“This is not the time to discuss films, to mock one another, to bring each other down. You just DO NOT use war for your personal benefit… If throwing all the respect away and using my name after nine years is getting you the headlines… you might be surrounded by the wrong team.”

Mawra concluded her message by calling for peace and offering prayers for civilians on both sides of the border, noting that she is focused on the grave reality of war, not film promotions.