Harshvardhan Rane's journey to Bollywood success is an unconventional one, marked by early independence and a dedication to his craft. Rane, who dreamt of being an actor from a young age, left his home at just 16 to pursue his passion. To improve his English, he worked at a call center, showcasing his commitment to overcoming obstacles in his path.

Despite his efforts and talent, Rane faced rejection early in his career. He was once offered a role in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ram Leela, a significant opportunity that many aspiring actors would jump at. However, Rane turned down the offer because he didn't want to play a villain. This decision highlights Rane's conviction in his artistic choices and his willingness to forgo potentially career-making roles to stay true to his principles.

Rane's career began in Telugu cinema with the film Thakita Thakita, and he later transitioned to Bollywood six years later. He has since appeared in several Hindi films, carving a niche for himself in the industry.

Interestingly, Rane isn't the only actor to have had a brush with Sanjay Leela Bhansali early in their career. Fardeen Khan, who is making a comeback after 14 years, revealed that he had approached Bhansali for work in the 2000s but was rejected. Bhansali told Khan that he didn't see the fire in his eyes, a critique that Khan initially found brutal but later realized was exactly what he needed to hear.

Notably, Bhansali had also approached Sushant Singh Rajput for four films, but due to date unavailability, those roles were offered to other actors. Bhansali himself stated that he wanted to cast Rajput in those films. Furthermore, Bhansali wanted to work with Hrithik Roshan for a long time and felt that Guzaarish provided the perfect opportunity to sign him. He also believed Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was perfect for the leading lady role in Guzaarish, and he wouldn't have made the film if either of them had refused.