Harshvardhan Rane, who recently celebrated the re-release of his film Sanam Teri Kasam, has disclosed an intriguing chapter from his early career. Before the romantic drama captivated audiences once again, Rane was offered a significant role by the acclaimed director Sanjay Leela Bhansali for his Bollywood debut. Despite the enormous opportunity, Rane chose to turn it down. He acknowledged that being approached by Bhansali was a noteworthy highlight in his life, yet he preferred to stay away from negative roles.
Rane expressed his desire to explore new and distinct roles rather than conform to the expectations of traditional cinematic offerings. It is reported that Bhansali had wanted Rane to portray Deepika Padukone’s brother in the blockbuster Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela, a film that ultimately released in 2013 and featured stars like Ranveer Singh, Richa Chadha, and Supriya Pathak. Although Rane showcased his ambition, he later stated he did not regret missing out on the project.
Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela transformed into a blockbuster hit, boasting stunning box office collections that set records at the time. Meanwhile, Sanam Teri Kasam opened with an impressive ₹4 crore, accumulating ₹15.50 crore net in its opening weekend. Despite being produced on a budget of ₹18 crore, it showcased compelling performances from its ensemble cast, including Manish Chaudhari and Vijay Raaz.
The narrative of Rane turning down a Sanjay Leela Bhansali film accentuates the tensions many young actors face in their quest for distinctiveness against the backdrop of conventional expectations. As cinema continues to evolve, the significance of choosing roles that resonate with personal aspirations remains ever paramount.
