Harshvardhan Rane Takes Over John Abraham's 'Force' Franchise with a Staggering Rs 15 Crore Fee

Fresh off a major box office win, Harshvardhan Rane is stepping into the high-octane world of 'Force 3', signaling a significant shift in his career and Bollywood's action landscape. This move, reportedly backed by a hefty Rs 15 crore fee, positions him as a rising star to watch.

TL;DR:

• Harshvardhan Rane has officially joined the 'Force' franchise, with filming for 'Force 3' set to begin in March 2026.
• Reports indicate Rane has signed for a significant fee of approximately Rs 15 crore, reflecting producer confidence after his recent success.
• This marks a pivotal career move for Rane, following the impressive Rs 100 crore box office collection of his latest film, 'Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat'.

From Romantic Lead to Action Hero: Harshvardhan Rane's Bold Career Trajectory

Imagine signing a film for a reported Rs 15 crore. That's the kind of buzz surrounding Harshvardhan Rane right now, as reports indicate he's officially stepping into the formidable 'Force' franchise. This isn't just another role; it's a huge statement in an industry where many established stars are currently struggling to pull in big audiences.

Rane's journey to this moment has been building, marked by notable successes. His 2016 film, Sanam Teri Kasam, found a new wave of popularity with its re-release earlier this year, reminding audiences of his emotional range. However, it was his latest romantic action drama, Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat, that truly cemented his status as a box office draw.

Released during Diwali 2025 (specifically October 21), Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat opened strong with Rs 10.10 crore on its first day and went on to collect a solid Rs 58.08 crore by the end of its first week. Most impressively, the film recently crossed the coveted Rs 100 crore mark at the box office. This kind of performance, especially for a star like Rane, shows a clear cause and effect: audience engagement translates directly into significant industry investment and new opportunities.

The Legacy of 'Force': A High-Octane Franchise Rane Is Inheriting

To truly appreciate what Harshvardhan Rane is stepping into, one needs to understand the foundation laid by the 'Force' franchise. It all began in 2011 with the original Force, directed by Nishikant Kamat and produced by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. This film, a remake of the acclaimed 2003 Tamil movie Kaakha Kaakha, starred John Abraham as ACP Yashvardhan, a dedicated officer of the Narcotics Control Bureau.

The plot was straightforward yet thrilling: Yashvardhan and his team successfully nab and eliminate a dangerous drug dealer named Vasu. But this victory came at a heavy price, as Vasu's vengeful brother, Vishnu, a dreaded gangster himself, vowed to seek retribution. The film was praised for its intense action sequences and John Abraham's powerful portrayal of the determined cop.

The sequel, Force 2, arrived in 2016, with Abhinay Deo at the helm. John Abraham reprised his role as ACP Yashvardhan, this time teaming up with RAW agent Kamaljit Kaur (played by Sonakshi Sinha) to expose a mole leaking sensitive information to foreign enemies. Tahir Raj Bhasin also joined the cast in a key role. Both films established 'Force' as a series synonymous with gritty action and compelling narratives of law enforcement heroes battling formidable foes.

Harshvardhan Rane's Pivotal Role in the Next Chapter of 'Force'

Now, the torch is being passed. Harshvardhan Rane is set to carry this action legacy forward in Force 3. The actor himself made the exciting announcement on his Instagram Stories, sharing a picture of himself seeking blessings at the Trimbakeshwar Temple near Nashik, Maharashtra, dressed in traditional attire.

His message was filled with gratitude, specifically thanking John Abraham for the opportunity. This gesture highlights the strong personal equation between the two actors, with Rane having often spoken about how Abraham was the first industry figure he met upon moving to Mumbai. This long-standing connection underscores the trust being placed in Rane to helm such a significant franchise.

"John Abraham locks Harshvardhan Rane for taking 'FORCE' franchise forward, under him. All I can do at this moment is thank this angel of a man called John Sir, while I look upwards and thank whoever is doing this from up there. Can't wait to begin shoot in March 2026. (No other details till I begin the shoot)."

— Harshvardhan Rane (Source: Zee News)

Filming for Force 3 is scheduled to kick off in March 2026. While official details on Rane's exact role are still under wraps, initial reports suggest a couple of possibilities. He might take over the lead role entirely, or John Abraham's character could feature as a mentor figure, training Rane's character as the new cop in the story. This flexibility allows the franchise to evolve while respecting its roots.

Beyond 'Force 3': Rane's Diverse Slate and Shift to Action

Rane's involvement in 'Force 3' is a clear indicator of his pivot towards more action-oriented roles. This isn't the only such project on his horizon. Producer Anshul Garg has confirmed another high-octane action drama starring Rane, with filming slated to begin even earlier, in January 2026. This separate film is intended to fully break Rane's romantic image and will see him in an "unusual costume," facing off against a senior actor, most likely from the South Indian film industry, with a "decent name" for the female lead.

Additionally, Rane is set to lead Omung Kumar's Silaa, featuring Sadia Khateeb and Karanveer Mehra as the antagonist. He has also expressed a strong desire to collaborate again with director Milap Zaveri, known for his massy scripts. This diverse lineup clearly showcases an actor eager to explore new genres and expand his cinematic footprint.

Navigating the Pressures and Expectations of a Beloved Franchise

Stepping into a well-established franchise like 'Force' comes with its own unique set of challenges and opportunities. On one hand, Harshvardhan Rane has a proven track record of drawing strong audiences, as evidenced by Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat. Producers clearly feel secure investing big money in him, and his "deeply loyal fan base" suggests a ready audience for his new ventures.

However, there are also inherent pressures. Fans of the 'Force' franchise have grown accustomed to John Abraham's powerful presence as ACP Yashvardhan. The big question is how they will react to a new lead. The reported Rs 15 crore fee also places a substantial expectation on the film's commercial performance. This is a tradeoff: high reward comes with high risk, requiring Rane to not only maintain the franchise's action integrity but also bring his unique appeal to the role.

Example: Imagine a long-time 'Force' fan, let's call him Rohan, sitting down with his friends. "Harshvardhan Rane? Seriously?" he might exclaim initially. But then, after thinking about Rane's performance in 'Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat', Rohan might reconsider. "You know, he's got that intensity. And if John Sir is involved, even as a mentor, it could actually work. It’s a smart move to keep the legacy while bringing in fresh blood." This demonstrates the mixed, yet potentially positive, reception such a transition can evoke.

The faith shown by John Abraham and the producers, coupled with Rane's recent box office success and eagerness to embrace action roles, puts him in a strong position. His career is undeniably on an upward trajectory, and 'Force 3' is poised to be a defining moment.

Practical Takeaways for Film Enthusiasts:

• A New Action Star Emerges: Harshvardhan Rane's move into the 'Force' franchise firmly establishes him as a significant player in the action genre.
• Franchise Evolution: 'Force 3' offers an interesting case study in how beloved franchises can successfully transition to new leads while maintaining their core identity.
• Big Budget Backing: The reported Rs 15 crore fee for Rane underscores significant industry confidence in his ability to deliver box office success.
• Busy Schedule Ahead: Fans can look forward to seeing Rane in multiple action-packed projects starting from early 2026, including Anshul Garg's film and Omung Kumar's 'Silaa'.

Frequently Asked Questions About Harshvardhan Rane and 'Force 3'

When is 'Force 3' expected to start filming?

Principal photography for 'Force 3' is scheduled to begin in March 2026.

Who is directing 'Force 3'?

Reports indicate that Bhav Dhulia will direct 'Force 3'.

What was the box office performance of Harshvardhan Rane's last film?

His last film, 'Ek Deewane Ki Deewaniyat', released on Diwali 2025, crossed Rs 100 crore at the box office.

Will John Abraham still be involved in 'Force 3'?

Harshvardhan Rane's announcement implies John Abraham's involvement, possibly as a mentor figure, but specific role details for Abraham are yet to be fully revealed.

Sources:

• Bollywood Hungama, "Harshvardhan Rane signs Force 3 for Rs 15 crore fee: Reports", Last Updated 05.11.2025
• Hindustan Times, "Harshvardhan Rane to begin his action film from Jan 2026, confirms maker Anshul Garg", Updated on: Nov 06, 2025
• iDiva, "Harshvardhan Rane Takes John Abraham’s Force Franchise Forward After Ek Deewane ki Deewaniyat Success", Updated: Nov 05, 2025
• Zee News, "Harshvardhan Rane's Next 'Force' To Kickstart In March 2026, Calls John Abraham, 'Angel Of A Man'", Last Updated: Nov 05, 2025
• India Today, "Harshvardhan Rane just took over this franchise from John Abraham. Read here", UPDATED: Nov 5, 2025
• News24, "Harshvardhan Rane officially joins John Abraham in ‘Force 3’; Spills details about the film", Updated: Nov 5, 2025
• Apoorva Rastogi, "Harshvardhan Rane joins 'Force' franchise, thanks John Abraham", Nov 05, 2025