Rane made his acting debut with the Hindi television series,Left Right Left in 2007. He portrayed Cadet Rummy Gaur in the second season of the show.[5] Rane made his film debut with the Telugu filmThakita Thakita in 2010. He portrayed a college student oppositeHaripriya.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 inNaa Ishtam oppositeGenelia D'Souza.[7] He then portrayed the lead oppositePoorna inAvunu.[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 oppositeVithika Sheru inPrema Ishq Kaadhal in 2013.[10] Karthik Pasupulate ofTimes of India wrote, "Harshvardhan Rane looks every bit the brooding rock star."[11]
Rane had four releases in 2014. He first portrayed a software engineer inAnaamika oppositeNayanthara.[12][13] He then portrayed a fashion designer inMaaya oppositeAvantika Mishra. A critic of123telugu 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 oppositeAnjali inGeethanjali.[15] Rane then had a cameo role inBrother of Bommali.[16] In 2015, Rane first reprised his role of Harsha in the sequel ofAvunu titled,Avunu 2,[17] and then played a cameo inBengal 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 oppositePakistani actressMawra Hocane. AHindustan 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 ofNews18 mentioned him as "one of the most incredible performer." He receivedStardust Award for Superstar of Tomorrow – Male nomination for the film.[22] In 2017, he did a cameo inFidaa oppositeSai Pallavi.[23]
In 2020, he portrayed a gangster oppositeSanjeeda Sheikh inTaish. It released as a feature film and a six episodic series.[30] A reviewer ofBollywood Hungama noted, "Rane looks dashing and gives a first-rate performance."[31] Pallabi Dey Purkayastha ofTimes of India said, "Rane, as ruthless gangster Pali, is impactful with the exception of his confrontational scene with Samrat."[32]
Rane portrayed an adventure lover oppositeTaapsee Pannu inHaseen Dillruba, aNetflix release.[33]Anna MM Vetticad stated, "Rane plays the only attention-grabbing character and delivers the film’s only memorable performance."[34] He had only one release in 2022. He portrayed an advocate inTara Vs Bilal opposite Sonia Rathee.[35]
Post a year hiatus, Rane played a medical student opposite T. J. Bhanu inDange, his first release of 2024.[36] Devesh Sharma ofFilmfare 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, oppositeDivya Khosla Kumar inSavi.[38] Titas Chowdhury ofNews18 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 inThe Miranda Brothers, alongsideMeezaan Jafri and Jeniffer Piccinato.[40] Dhaval Roy found his character to be "one dimensional", offering him limited scope to perform.[41]
In his only film of 2025,Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, Rane played a politician who is in love with an actress, oppositeSonam Bajwa.[42] Rachit Gupta noted, "Harshvardhan's performance and his character deliver an intense pay-off for the viewer."[43] While, Rishabh Suri stated, "Rane tries to elevate a couple of scenes, but never quite convinces."[44] The film emerged a major commercial success, proving to besleeper hit.[45]
Rane is fluent in English, Hindi, Telugu and Marathi.[46] He dated actressKim Sharma from 2018 to 2019.[47]
In 2022, Rane bought acampervan, few days before his birthday. Rane became India's first actor to own a campervan.[48] 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.[49]
Aakriti Anand ofFilmfare finds Rane to be "cool, calm and amicable".[50] Priyanka Roy ofThe Telegraph found him to be "humble, level-headed, easygoing and honest" and added, "Rane impressed withSanam Teri Kasam and has grabbed attention withTaish andHaseen Dillruba."[51] Praising the actor, directorBejoy 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."[52] In theTimes' 50 Most Desirable Men list, Rane ranked 32nd in 2016,[53] 35th in 2017,[54] 33rd in 2018,[55] 31st in 2019[56] and 29th in 2020.[57] InHyderabad Times' Most Desirable Men list, he was placed 16th in 2015.[58]
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.[59] The campaign has him selling T-shirts he wore in his films at charity garage sales.[60] He then sold his shirts inHyderabad from his latest hitSanam 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.[61][62]
