Harshvardhan Rane’s changing position on cross-border work has drawn fresh attention. Back in May, during the time Sanam Teri Kasam was running in theatres and Operation Sindoor made news, he openly criticised his Pakistani co-star Mawra Hocane.
In interviews and on social media, he distanced himself from her and dismissed her comments as a “PR strategy,” even going as far as to call them hateful. His stand was firm that he was not comfortable with the Pakistani connection linked to the film and its promotion.
By September, however, the situation had taken a sharp turn. His latest project, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, features the popular Pakistani song “Bol Kaffara Kya Hoga,” which he and the makers are now openly endorsing without hesitation or concern.
This sudden reversal highlights the hypocrisy of public figures who shift their stands to match career needs. For Rane, what was once a moral objection has now become acceptable because the song’s popularity adds weight to the project’s prospects.
The issue is not about insider or outsider labels, nor purely about nationalism. It is about selective principles. When Pakistani links did not suit him, he rejected them, but when a trending song could boost success, his discomfort disappeared.
Such double standards are common in film promotions, but audiences are becoming more aware. Stars cannot condemn collaboration at one moment and then celebrate it later for profit. Consistency and credibility remain essential, even in the entertainment industry.
