‘DO NOT use war for your personal benefit’; Mawra Hocane slams co-star Harshvardhan Rane

Actress Mawra Hocane has responded strongly to her Sanam Teri Kasam co-star Harshvardhan Rane after he publicly stated he would not act in a sequel if the original cast, including her, returned.

He had shared two Instagram stories earlier on Saturday, criticising Hocane’s stance on recent Indian strikes. “While I am grateful for the experience, however as things stand, and after reading the direct comments made about my country, I have decided to respectfully decline to be a part of Sanam Teri Kasam Part 2 if there is any possibility of the previous cast being repeated,” he wrote.

In response, Mawra posted a detailed statement on her Instagram story, saying, “I don’t know whether to call this unfortunate, sad or comical…someone I expected to have basic common sense has risen from deep slumber with a PR strategy.”

She added that there are far more serious matters happening in the world right now than film cast announcements.

“Look around you, look at what’s going on! We could all hear explosions..children in my country died due to an unjustified cowardly attack, innocent lives are lost and after multiple attempts to still maintain grace and peace, a befitting response by my armed forces have caused a frenzy in your country last night. While our nations are at war, this is what you come up with, a PR statement to get attention? What a pity!”

She also addressed Rane’s claims about her attitude toward their past work. 

“I’ve always shown respect, love and gratitude for everyone I’ve worked with and I’ll continue to do so. I was offered to collaborate and I did. I’ll never spew hate like you just did.”

Criticising the timing of Rane’s comments, she said, “Making such announcements at this volatile time, it’s both shameful and bizarre to see you so hungry and desperate. Our countries have been at WAR… two nuclear countries have been at war, this is not the time to discuss films, to mock one another, to bring each other down. Only goes to show your ignorance in such a sensitive situation, I guess it’s not just your news media that’s gone bonkers.”

She continued, “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. You just DO NOT use war for your personal benefit. So many lives lost… it’s a grave situation, you’ve fallen from grace for nothing!”

She concluded her message by focusing on what she feels truly matters right now: “My country above everything else! Pakistan Zindabad.”

She added that her prayers are with civilians on both sides and Pakistani soldiers, not with the idea of another film.

Sanam Teri Kasam, released in 2016, recently gained new popularity after its February re-release. Rumours about a sequel started circulating soon after its unexpected success, and both stars had earlier expressed openness to return until now.