Actor Harshvardhan Rane has once again found himself at the center of an online debate after his recent comments about supporting “outsiders” in Bollywood. The Sanam Teri Kasam star, whose latest film Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat released on Diwali alongside Ayushmann Khurrana’s Thamma, encouraged fans to watch both films, stressing that both he and Ayushmann are self-made actors.
In a now-viral video from a theatre visit with co-star Sonam Bajwa, Harshvardhan said, “Aapne iss Diwali pe 2 outsiders ki film ko support kiya. Ayushmann Khurrana ki bhi film aayi hai, meri bhi aayi hai. Dono filmein dekhiye please, dono ko enjoy kariye, kyunki bohot achha message jaata hai, ki aap logo ne nepotism hi khatam kar diya.”
The actor later commented online, “Please dekhlijiye ma’am, Thamma bhi dekhiye, Ayushmann and I are both outsiders,” which quickly spread across social media. While many fans lauded his humility and long journey, others felt he was overplaying the “outsider card.”
One Reddit user wrote, “He deserves success after 15 years of struggle,” while another added, “No one will watch your movie just because you’re an outsider—let your work speak.” Some even compared him to Kartik Aaryan, known for his grounded approach despite similar beginnings. Despite the mixed reactions, Harshvardhan continues to promote his film positively, emphasizing unity over competition in Bollywood.