Hello from the other side

Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane—both celebrities in their own right in the South and Pakistan respectively—talk about making a fresh start in Bollywood

He was earlier slated to play the lead in Sanjay Leela Bhasali’s Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela, but opted out due to a long contract. She is a well-known name in Pakistan’s television world. Together, Harshvardhan Rane and Mawra Hocane will make their debut in Bollywood with Radhika Rao’s Sanam Teri Kasam. Exerpts from an exclusive chat.

How did Sanam Teri Kasam happen Harshvardhan: I was busy at a shoot when I got a call for Sanam Teri Kasam. When I actually came to meet the team, I was told that the casting has been finalised and that they’ve already chosen another boy to play the part. I sat my directors down and told them that I could connect with the character like no one else would. I insisted despite knowing that the casting was done because I was very convinced. I finally convinced them to watch a video of mine. They loved it so much that they changed their mind about the other boy abd informed producer Himesh Reshammiya the very next day.

Mawra: Meanwhile, I had heard about and seen pictures of this particular boy who was to be cast opposite me, but I came down to find someone totally different! I wondered if I had imagined it all. My story of bagging the film was simple. Radhika madam’s family that lives in Sydney knows my family. Ma’am happened to tell my mother that she’s looking for a pretty girl who can cry! My mother suggested my name to her after which Radhika ma’am saw some of my work in Pakistan. We had a Skype chat and I was on board.

How does it feel to start from scratch in India Mawra: I personally think that if you don’t continuously challenge yourself, then you will also not excel. My dad used to make me switch schools. He always told me that you have to better your environment. If you keep coming first at the same place, then you will never want to do better. I feel fortunate that in my country I got to work with the best in less than two and half years. I was wondering if I am going to work in the same country over and over again. Then came STR and again am I debutante and a newbie. I have to prove myself once again.

Who is your strongest inspiration Harshvardhan: Kamal Haasan. The first film that I ever watched was his — Pushpak. I can still watch it on loop. For me Kamal Haasan is a complete actor. It is a great co-incidence that his first film was also named Sanam Teri Kasam. He is like the bible and encyclopaedia of acting for me. I didn’t grow up watching Hindi films because I ran from home and didn’t have access to a home theatre system or a TV set. Mawra was surprised when she come to know that I have not seen most of the popular Hindi movies uch as Maine Pyaar Kiya, Dil to Pagal Hai, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. I am scared to touch those films now because people have made do many references from those films. It is like reheating readymade stuff from the fridge. I want a blank space to create something new.

Mawra: You know all those jokes from KKHH about Rahul I cracked them on Harsh and he was like what I have been a part of Bollywood as an audience. When I came to India, I didn’t feel that I am not familiar with any place because I have seen all those places in the films. In fact, people were like ‘are you sure that you are coming to India for the first time ’ In my country TV is the dominant medium, so I never ever thought of doing a film there. I used to think that when I am getting so much work in the dominant medium, then why should I do anything else I kept telling people that my first film would always be a B’wood film. I said that when I was 19 and today at 22, I have my first film. It’s been a wonderful journey.

Do you see a difference in the work culture Mawra: I don’t see any difference in the industries. I feel that people are hard-working at both the places. Pakistani dramas are the best in the world and here people are focussed on films.

What were your thoughts about coming to India for work What was the most challenging part of the shoot Mawra: There is nothing to lose. No one from my country has come and done the role I am doing. There is nothing to be insecure about because I am just gaining. I don't know what's coming after this film, but I have gained so much so far. About the challenges, it was difficult to do intimate scenes. I have to give credit to my directors. They told me each and every gesture. In the beginning, when I didn't get the hang of it, they used to tell me everything. There is no shame in saying that I am a director's actor. I love operating like this.

Harshvardhan: I don’t find anything to be an obstacle because when I left home, I met two kinds of people—one who always said ‘go ahead’ even if they didn’t know me and one who warned me. I chose not to acknowledge the second one—even though thry proved to be right many times. To be launched by Radhika ma'am is a big thing in itself and I am happy about that for now.