Pakistani actress Mawra Hocane, who gained popularity in India with her role as Saru in the 2016 film Sanam Teri Kasam, will not be reprising her character in the upcoming sequel, Sanam Teri Kasam 2. The film’s directors, Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru, have confirmed that due to the Indian government’s ban on Pakistani artists, they are unable to cast Mawra in the sequel. They emphasized the importance of respecting national regulations, stating, “If the country has rules, we have to follow them” .
Mawra had previously expressed her willingness to return for the sequel, mentioning that the script was in her inbox but she had not yet reviewed it . However, with the casting now finalized, she has been officially excluded from the project.
The sequel, tentatively titled Jaanam Teri Kasam, is currently in pre-production. The makers are seeking a new female lead, preferably between the ages of 18 and 20, who can sing and embodies the essence of a singer, similar to the character of Saru .
Despite her exclusion from the sequel, Mawra remains grateful for the renewed appreciation of the original film. She expressed her gratitude on social media, stating, “Not me fainting to the numbers STK re-release…” .
The decision to not include Mawra in the sequel has sparked discussions about the challenges faced by artists from Pakistan in the Indian entertainment industry due to political tensions.
