Rane started his career with a small stint on television, in Left Right Left (2007-2008). He then appeared in successful Telugu films including Naa Ishtam, Avunu both (2012), Prema Ishq Kaadhal (2013), Anaamika and Maaya both (2014). After venturing into Hindi films, Rane has received praise for his portrayal of a gangster in Taish (2020) and an adventure lover in Haseen Dillruba (2021).
Rane made his acting debut with the Hindi television series, Left Right Left in 2008. He portrayed Cadet Rummy Gaur in the second season of the show.[5] Rane made his film debut with the Telugu film Thakita Thakita in 2010. He portrayed a college student opposite Haripriya. Rediff.com mentioned, "Harsh is apt for his role; He displays the earnestness and sincerity needed for the role."[6]
He had two films in 2012. He first appeared in Naa Ishtam opposite Genelia D'Souza.[7] He then portrayed the lead opposite Poorna in Avunu.[8] Radhika Rajamani noted, "Avunu works because of the acting of Poorna and Harsha. Harsha shows his brilliance towards the end."[9] He portrayed a musician opposite Vithika Sheru in Prema Ishq Kaadhal in 2013.[10] Karthik Pasupulate of Times of India wrote, "Harshvardhan Rane looks every bit the brooding rock."[11]
Rane had four releases in 2014. He first portrayed a software engineer in Anaamika opposite Nayanthara.[12][13] He then portrayed a fashion designer in Maaya opposite Avantika Mishra. A critic of 123telugu stated, "Harshavardhan Rane who usually does different kind of roles, has given a matured performance in this film."[14] Next he portrayed a software engineer opposite Anjali in Geethanjali.[15] Rane then had a cameo role in Brother of Bommali.[16] In 2015, Rane first reprised his role of Harsha in the sequel of Avunu titled, Avunu 2,[17] and then played a cameo in Bengal Tiger.[18]
Sanam Teri Kasam and career progression (2016-2023)
Rane made his Hindi film debut with the 2016 film, Sanam Teri Kasam.[19][20] He portrayed a lawyer and ex-convict opposite Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane. A Hindustan Times's critic noted: "Rane as Inder, delivers a controlled and poised performance. He lights up the screen with his strong and well-chiselled physique and emotes superbly through his eyes."[21] Kriti Tulsiani of News18 mentioned him as "one of the most incredible performer." He received Stardust Award for Superstar of Tomorrow – Male nomination for the film.[22] In 2017, he did a cameo in Fidaa opposite Sai Pallavi.[23]
In 2020, he portrayed a gangster opposite Sanjeeda Sheikh in Taish. It released as a feature film and a six episodic series.[30] A reviewer of Bollywood Hungama noted, "Rane looks dashing and gives a first-rate performance."[31] Pallabi Dey Purkayastha of Times of India said, "Rane, as ruthless gangster Pali, is impactful with the exception of his confrontational scene with Samrat."[32]
Post a year hiatus, Rane played a medical student opposite T. J. Bhanu in Dange, his first release of 2024.[36] Devesh Sharma of Filmfare noted: "Harshvardhan is cast in the mould of the big-hearted college senior and does justice to his role. His body language and expressions suit his character’s persona."[37] In his next film of the year, Rane played a man convicted in a murder, opposite Divya Khosla Kumar in Savi.[38] Titas Chowdhury of News18 stated, "Harshvardhan plays Savi’s husband and while he has a limited screen time, he makes sure that you take note of him."[39] Later the year, Rane played a local Football player in The Miranda Brothers, alongside Meezaan Jafri and Jeniffer Piccinato.[40] Dhaval Roy found his character to be "one dimensional", offering him limited scope to perform.[41]
Personal life
Rane is fluent in English, Hindi, Telugu and Marathi.[42] He dated actress Kim Sharma from 2018 to 2019.[43]
In 2022, Rane bought a campervan, few days before his birthday. Rane became India's first actor to own a campervan.[44] He said,
As everyone else does, I love freedom too. Since childhood I just wanted to be unchained. Staying in the nature helps me focus on my films and keeps me connected to mother earth. Since last 12 years, I have been dreaming about owning a campervan which I can live in.[45]
Aakriti Anand of Filmfare finds Rane to be "cool, calm and amicable".[46] Priyanka Roy of The Telegraph found him to be "humble, level-headed, easygoing and honest" and added, "Rane impressed with Sanam Teri Kasam and has grabbed attention with Taish and Haseen Dillruba."[47] Praising the actor, director Bejoy Nambiar said, "Harsh is one of those actors who spoils the director. He is such a delight to work with that anyone who works with him would love to work with him again."[48] In the Times' 50 Most Desirable Men list, Rane ranked 32nd in 2016,[49] 35th in 2017,[50] 33rd in 2018,[51] 31st in 2019[52] and 29th in 2020.[53] In Hyderabad Times' Most Desirable Men list, he was placed 16th in 2015.[54]
Rane owns a charity foundation holding garage sales for the ShirtOff Foundation to raise money to support the education of a girl-child (Swati) who had lost her parents to HIV.[55] The campaign has him selling T-shirts he wore in his films at charity garage sales.[56] He then sold his shirts in Hyderabad from his latest hit Sanam Teri Kasam and managed to single-handedly raise close to Rs Two lakhs and still counting through online sales.
My fans buy my shirts on sale and pose with me holding placards that read Took my #ShirtOff while some choose to simply contribute. I am also humbled by the support of fans and every contribution no matter how big or small, go a long way in helping Swati.
- Rane talking about this unique initiative.[57][58]
^PRABALIKA M BORAH (6 October 2015). "Harshvardhan Rane on a roll". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 13 February 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2015.
