Worked as waiter for Rs 20, struggled to use toilet, joined call centre to learn English: The story of Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat actor Harshvardhan Rane

Actor Harshvardhan Rane, who is currently enjoying the success of his latest film Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, has come a long way from the days when he earned barely enough to afford a meal. Today, his name is associated with dedication, humility, and a deep sense of gratitude, qualities that were shaped by years of struggle before fame found him. Before his acting career took off, Harshvardhan’s life was far from the glamour of cinema.

Harshvardhan Rane's journey to stardom

In a recent interview with IANS, the actor opened up about his early days when he ran away from home at the age of 16 with just Rs 200 in his pocket. He said the first thing he needed after leaving home was food, and for that, he needed a job. “Nothing came easy,” he recalled.

His first job paid him just Rs 10 a day, and a plate of chole chawal was part of his daily meal. Harshvardhan worked as a waiter, doing whatever came his way to survive. From there, he took up other odd jobs, including working at STD booths, cyber cafés, and delivery services. His neat handwriting turned out to be an unexpected skill; it helped him get small jobs maintaining registers in cafés for Rs 10–Rs 20 a day.



Harshvardhan shared that he even struggled with something as basic as using a toilet in the early days because he couldn’t afford decent accommodation. Every day was a lesson in survival, and each challenge pushed him a step closer to his dreams. Determined to improve his communication skills, he joined a call centre later.

He told Free Press Journal, "That time people would say it's important to learn English. It then became my goal to learn the language. I looked around for coaching classes, but I didn't have money to pay for them. So, I joined a call centre. At call centres, they used to give training in soft skills and English."

His turning point came in 2004, when he worked as a delivery boy. One day, he was asked to deliver a helmet from a bike showroom to a hotel, and it turned out that the helmet was for actor John Abraham. “I was nervous,” he admitted, recalling how he was sweating and unsure of what to expect. But to his surprise, John came to the hotel lobby himself to thank him personally. That brief encounter, Harshvardhan said, taught him a lifelong lesson in humility.

Years later, life came full circle when John Abraham produced a film starring Harshvardhan. The actor said it felt surreal to work with the same person he once delivered a package to. “Even today, when I see him, I still feel like that delivery boy holding the helmet,” he said with a smile.

About Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat

Now, as audiences shower love on Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, Harshvardhan Rane stands as proof that success doesn’t happen overnight. According to early estimates by Sacnilk, the film is currently making waves at the box office and minted over Rs 55 crore. The film was released on October 21 and featured Sonam Bajwa as female lead.