Harshvardhan Rane and Sonam Bajwa’s Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, directed by Milap Zaveri, has received an ‘A’ certificate from the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), making it the first Diwali release in over two decades to do so. According to reports, the board requested several modifications from the makers, including trimming a shot of approximately 2 minutes 12 seconds, removal of a 1-second visual of Mantralaya, deletion of the dialogue “sleep with her”, replacing the word “Raavan” with “villain” in two instances, removing all dialogue referencing the epic Ramayana, and substituting “maal” with “ladki”.Unfazed by the changes, Harshvardhan said, “I stand by CBFC policies as they are meant to safeguard our cultural values and avoid any unintentional harm to Indian sensibilities. If they believe the word Raavan should be replaced with villain, I completely support their decision. As for the audience, if a film isn’t great, even a U/A certificate can’t save it. But if it’s a good film, the audience will turn it into a superhit.”

Freak Fire Incident on Harshvardhan Rane-Sonam Bajwa Film Set

A second issue concerns the film’s advance bookings. Despite its Diwali release, the film was said to have fewer screens allocated compared with competitor Thamma, and its advance booking was opened later, sparking allegations of unequal treatment by a major multiplex chain operator (PVR Inox). Harshvardhan said, “I have a double PhD in being taken lightly. I secretly enjoy being underestimated because it fuels my quiet fire. Our first day of advance booking was affected because of this, but I’m glad corrections were made. In the short term, such underestimation may impact a film, but in the long run, this kind of belittling only strengthens my resolve. I believe in the power of romance in the eyes, resilience in the heart, and the audience’s final verdict.”

Harshvardhan with Sonam Bajwa in a still from Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat

He added, “This happened once in February 2025, and now it’s happening again in the same year. I’ve distributed pamphlets in colleges for one of my films and even stood outside my producer’s building asking for a re-release. This time, if needed, I’ll go around in my van with the Deewaniyat poster asking people to buy tickets.”

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