Harshvardhan Rane refuses Sanam Teri Kasam 2 with Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane

MUMBAI: Actor Harshvardhan Rane, who starred in the 2016 film Sanam Teri Kasam alongside Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane, has announced that he will not be a part of its upcoming sequel if there is “any possibility of the previous cast being repeated.”

This comes amid the ongoing tensions between India and Pakistan.

Taking to his Instagram Stories, Rane wrote, “While I am grateful for the experience, as things stand and after reading the direct comments made about my country, I have made the decision to respectfully decline being a part of Sanam Teri Kasam Part 2 if there is any possibility of the previous cast being repeated.”

In another post, he also shared a screenshot of a news article that mentioned Mawra’s alleged remarks concerning India’s response to terrorism. He strongly criticized those comments, saying he cannot ignore such statements, regardless of professional opportunities.

“I respect all artists and humans from this country, that country, Kenya, and even Mars, but derogatory remarks about my country by anyone are unpardonable. I’m okay with losing followers on Instagram, but I won’t allow anyone to trample on my pride and upbringing. Standing by your country is good, but disrespectful, hate-filled remarks about another country are not,” he added.

India said on Saturday that Pakistan has violated the understanding reached between DGMOs of the two countries earlier in the day on stoppage of firing and military action and that the Indian Army is retaliating and dealing with this border intrusion.

At a special briefing, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said this is a breach of the understanding arrived at earlier today and India takes “very serious note of these violations”.

India called upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility.
Misri said India’s Armed Forces have been given instructions to deal strongly with any instances of repetition of the violations of the border along the International Border as well as the Line of Control.

“For the last few hours, there have been repeated violations of the understanding arrived at earlier this evening between the Directors General of Military Operations of India and Pakistan. This is a breach of the understanding arrived at earlier today. The armed forces are giving an adequate and appropriate response to these violations and we take very very serious note of these violations,” Misri said.

“We call upon Pakistan to take appropriate steps to address these violations and deal with the situation with seriousness and responsibility. The armed forces are maintaining a strong vigil on the situation. They have been given instructions to deal strongly with any instances of repetition of the violations of the border along the International Border as well as the Line of Control,” he added.

Earlier in the day, Foreign Secretary Misri told the media that Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations contacted his Indian counterpart.

“Pakistan’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) called Indian DGMO at 15:35 hours earlier this afternoon. It was agreed between them that both sides would stop all firing and military action on land and in the air and sea with effect from 1700 hours Indian Standard Time,” he said.

“Today, instructions have been given on both sides to give effect to this understanding. The Directors General of Military Operations will talk again on May 12 at 1200 hours,” he added. (ANI)