Vedang Raina may be one of the most talked-about young actors in Bollywood today, but the actor admits that a career in films was never guaranteed. Before landing his breakthrough role in Zoya Akhtar’s ‘The Archies’, he had already begun preparing for a very different future.Having made his debut with ‘The Archies’ and followed it up with the critically appreciated ‘Jigra’, Vedang is now gearing up for his next big-screen outing, Imtiaz Ali‘s period romance ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’. Looking back at his journey, the actor says life could have taken an entirely different turn had he not been selected for the Netflix musical.
Vedang Raina’s audition that changed everything
While many now view Vedang as one of the promising faces of the new generation, the actor insists that his career is still in its early stages. He believes he is only beginning to explore the possibilities that acting has to offer. He shared with Hindustan Times, “I don’t consider myself big yet, I’m just starting out and I’m just privileged to even be part of an Imtiaz Ali film. These are things that were beyond my imagination even about five years ago. I try to put things into perspective for myself sometimes.”The actor’s rise may appear rapid from the outside, but he says he regularly reminds himself how uncertain things were before his debut.
A different career path was ready for Vedang Raina
Vedang revealed that he had concrete plans in place if acting did not work out. In fact, he was already close to stepping into a more conventional professional route before his audition for ‘The Archies’ changed everything. “Five years ago, my job placements were ready. If I didn’t land that Archies’ audition, I was close to getting work experience and probably doing a masters degree.” The actor added that thinking about those days helps him stay grounded despite the attention he receives today.Despite receiving praise for his performances in both ‘The Archies’ and ‘Jigra’, Vedang says he does not view himself as a successful actor just yet. Instead, he sees his current achievements as stepping stones toward bigger artistic goals.“I need to remind myself of that sometimes because right now I don’t feel successful. I don’t feel like I’ve even begun and I think of what the Vedang five years ago must have felt. So, I need to remind myself every day that I have a long way to go and I want to achieve certain milestones as an artiste, but I’m also proud of where I’ve reached today.”Although his filmography currently consists of only two projects, Vedang has managed to attract considerable attention, both for his professional choices and his personal life. However, the actor appears unfazed by the scrutiny and expectations that come with being one of Bollywood’s emerging stars.Rather than focusing on public perception, he prefers to concentrate on learning, growing, and making the most of opportunities that once seemed unimaginable.
Excited for ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’
Vedang’s next release, ‘Main Vaapas Aaunga’, sees him sharing screen space with Sharvari, Diljit Dosanjh, and veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. The film marks his first collaboration with filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, a milestone he describes as a privilege.Apart from acting in the film, Vedang has also lent his voice to the song ‘Maskara’, adding another dimension to his creative journey. As he prepares for the release, the actor remains focused on the road ahead, determined to keep building on the foundation laid by ‘The Archies’ and ‘Jigra’.