In light of the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, actor Harshvardhan Rane has said that if the producers want to keep the original ensemble for the follow-up to his 2016 film Sanam Teri Kasam, he will not be involved. The actor shared a message on his Instagram Stories on Saturday, writing, “While 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”.
Rane’s remarks coincide with rumours that Mawra Hocane, a Pakistani actress who starred in the first movie, would make a comeback. The “strict and complete ban” on Pakistani artists, filmmakers, and financiers operating in India was declared by the All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) following Operation Sindoor. “No Indian artist will collaborate with any Pakistani talent, nor will any global platform be shared with them,” the statement read.
This comes as tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam. India responded by conducting an operation known as Sindoor on May 7 that involved retaliatory strikes on nine terrorist hideouts in Pakistan. Additionally, the association denounced Indian music labels and artists that still collaborate with Pakistani artists on international platforms, calling such partnerships “a betrayal of national pride.”
The group urged Bollywood and regional Indian producers, artists, and filmmakers to “prioritise national interest over artistic collaborations.” Similar demands for restrictions on Pakistani artists have been made by AICWA before, including in 2016 and 2019 in response to cross-border violent situations.
