Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat Casting Choices: Why Harshvardhan Rane Was the Right Pick

Mumbai, 12 November 2025: The romantic drama Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat has been a big surprise success this Diwali. The movie, which was released on October 21, is now a proven box office winner. It has collected over ₹75 crore in India on a small budget of just ₹25 crore.

This success story is mainly built around one key decision: casting Harshvardhan Rane as the obsessive hero, Vikramaditya Bhonsle.

Director Milap Zaveri and the producers needed an actor who could play an intense, almost “red flag” lover. They needed a blend of charm and madness. Harshvardhan Rane proved to be the absolute right pick. Here is why the casting choice was a masterstroke.

Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat Intense Look: The Brooding Lover Niche

Harshvardhan Rane has successfully carved a unique space for himself in Bollywood. He is the brooding, intense lover. This image started with his breakthrough film, Sanam Teri Kasam (2016). That movie failed when it was first released, but its re-release earlier this year turned it into a cult hit. This gave Rane a clear identity.

He had the Persona: The role of Vikramaditya in Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat is that of a rich politician who falls deeply for an actress, Adaa (Sonam Bajwa). His passion quickly turns into an all-consuming obsession. This character needs an actor who can show vulnerability and intensity with just his eyes. Rane does this perfectly. He convinces the audience of his inner turmoil.
The Nostalgia Factor: The film’s producer, Anshul Garg, said the movie was aimed at rekindling the nostalgia of the 2000s. This was an era of intense, melodramatic love stories, often featuring a passionate hero who crosses the line (think Tere Naam or Darr). Rane’s look and style fit this old-school melodrama perfectly. He brought the necessary vintage charm to a problematic character.

Carrying the Film on His Shoulders

Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat did not have massive promotions or the star power of its clash movie, Thamma. The burden of attracting the audience fell squarely on the content and the lead actors.

Critical Praise for Performance: The overall reviews for the film were mixed, with many critics calling the script “overdramatic” and “absurd.” However, Rane’s performance was consistently highlighted as a major positive. Many reviews stated that Rane carried the whole movie on his shoulders. Even with weak writing at times, his sincerity and committed acting helped elevate the scenes.
The Anti-Hero Charm: The character Vikramaditya is an anti-hero. He is supposed to be a politician who acts illogically in love. Rane had to make the audience feel some sympathy for this troubled man, despite his negative actions. He did this successfully. One fan even wrote that they “started to side with him at some point despite being so negative,” proving Rane’s ability to pull the audience in.

The Instinct and Conviction

Harshvardhan Rane took a big risk with this film.

Ignoring Industry Doubt: Rane revealed that 99 percent of the industry mocked his decision to sign Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. They felt the film was too small or too similar to his past work. The film was also up against a big-budget, franchise film (Thamma).
Producer’s Trust: The makers believed Rane was the right person to deliver the intense emotion needed for the role. This faith in his “brooding lover” niche paid off. The film’s success, which is now nearing the ₹100 crore worldwide mark, has silenced all the doubters.

The casting of Harshvardhan Rane was not just about finding a good actor. It was about finding an actor whose screen persona matched the film’s core theme of intense obsession. Rane’s ability to portray pain and passion made the film work. He was the essential ingredient that turned a simple ₹25 crore film into one of the biggest surprise hits of the year.

The actor is now set to join bigger projects, like a villain role in the Star Wars franchise. This success is a direct result of his performance in Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat.