Pakistani star Mawra Hocane dropped from 'Sanam Teri Kasam 2' amid backlash; Harshvardhan Rane’s return unclear

The long-rumoured Sanam Teri Kasam 2 is officially in the works, but it's already making more headlines for its casting drama than its storyline.

The sequel took a controversial turn when actor Harshvardhan Rane who starred in the 2016 cult romantic tragedy, distanced himself from the project after his original co-star Mawra Hocane retweeted a post showing India in a negative light. His stance triggered speculation about whether either actor would return for the sequel.

Now, directors Vinay Sapru and Radhika Rao have broken their silence — and confirmed what many suspected.

“Mawra definitely nahi hai,” Vinay said in a recent interview with Hindi Rush. The Pakistani actress, whose character dies in the original film, is officially not a part of Sanam Teri Kasam 2.

Fans had been hoping for her return — until recent geopolitical tensions dampened that wish.

Despite the casting shuffle, the director duo confirmed that a sequel was always on the cards.

“The original was written with a sequel in mind,” said Vinay. “But no one asked for it back then, so we shelved it. Now that there’s a demand, we’ve revived the story and are working on it again.” The team is eyeing a 2026 release.

Harshvardhan Rane had earlier said he wouldn’t return to the sequel if Mawra remained attached to the project. With her now out of the picture, there's buzz that the Taish actor may be back on board — though he hasn't confirmed his participation yet.

So while Sanam Teri Kasam 2 is finally moving ahead, it's clear that this sequel won't just revisit old heartbreaks — it's already stirring up new drama.