The Archies actor, Vedang Raina, Travel+Leisure India & South Asia’s June digital cover star, is all set for the release of his second movie Jigra alongside Alia Bhatt. In an exclusive chat with Travel+Leisure India & South Asia, he talks about his evolution from a shy teen to a confident actor, how travel impacts him and lets us in on his plans to explore the world.
Shoot produced by: Chirag Mohanty Samal
Co-produced by: Ishika Laul
Assisted by: Muskaan Pruthi
Styling assistant: Vrinda Goklani
Wardrobe partner: Pepe Jeans
Artist’s Reputation Management: Communique Film PR
Vedang Raina is an accidental actor, a profession he drifted into and did a pretty good job of. The actor who set hearts aflutter with his portrayal of Reggie Mantle in The Archies tells Travel + Leisure India & South Asia that he never planned to become an actor. He describes himself as a nerd with a strong focus on academics. He was among the top scorers in school but was shy and an introvert. “I liked music and picked up a guitar when I was 10, but I always felt underconfident in public,” says the actor who is winning hearts today. But anyone who has seen him bring alive Reggie, the cocky, suave heartthrob, on screen, wouldn’t believe this. Raina managed to hold his own among all the star kids, added a humane touch to a traditionally grey character and danced his way to many hearts—too many feats for his first movie. Vedang Raina is now all set for the release of Jigra, a Karan Johar production, directed by Vasan Bala, where he co-stars alongside actor Alia Bhatt.
In an exclusive freewheeling chat, Vedang Raina, Travel+Leisure India & South Asia’s June digital cover star, opens up about his prep for his roles, his journey of becoming an actor, the learnings and lessons from Zoya Akhtar (his first director) and Alia Bhatt, his evolution from a shy teen to a confident actor, his take on conscious travel, his fondest travel memories and travel bucket lists, and his go-to travel wardrobe.
I think we all (the entire cast) prepped for a long time. We did everything from dancing to acting. I had to pick up dancing as I didn’t dance much before the film. And I took that seriously and put myself to sleep watching dance videos. Watched a lot of videos of Elvis Presley and Shammi Kapoor to understand that era. So yes, definitely a lot of prep because it was my first film and I felt I had to go all out.
(On Raina: Shirt, Arnaud Yellow Cotton Shirt by Pepe Jeans; Jeans, Javian White Denim by Pepe Jeans; Pendant necklace, Misho)
Honestly, it wasn’t something I was planning as a kid. Music is something I took up early on at the age of 10. I joined the school band and that helped me gain confidence in music.
But my focus was always on my studies. I wasn’t planning to take music as a career. But then I joined college, post-school and shifted from science to business, which I didn’t enjoy. That’s when I started paying more attention to music. I was a part of the college music committee. This helped me learn a lot about performing before a crowd. While I was doing this, someone recommended that I join an agency and try my luck in modelling. So, I clicked some portfolio pictures and sent them everywhere. A lot of people rejected me, but then an agency took me in. And they started sending me for auditions. However, The Archies was my first proper movie audition and it clicked. That’s how acting happened to me.
(On Raina: Black Solid Vest by Pepe Jeans; Bracelet, Salty Alpha)
During The Archies, all the workshops that I attended and Zoya Akhtar’s direction and guidance helped me grow and evolve. Towards the end of the film, I felt more confident about what I was doing. The more experience you get, the more comfortable you feel in your skin. But going into Jigra, I realised that I had to work hard to be able to do justice to the character. My real transformation happened during Jigra. Also, Vasan (Bala) sir is a different director than Zoya and it was a bit more challenging on set. My journey so far has been quite interesting.
(On Raina: Hank Light Blue Denim Shirt by Pepe Jeans; Pant, Maze Khakhi Chinos by Pepe Jeans; Shoes, London Urban Running Sneakers by Pepe Jeans; Bracelets, Salty Alpha)
It was a pleasure. It all seemed scary. I remember, the first time we had to do a scene together, I was scared of doing it alongside an accomplished actor like her. But she made it quite easy for me. She’s such a brilliant actor and a wonderful co-actor, she was patient and kind to me and made me feel at ease.
(On Raina: Kingsman Off-White Linen Shirt by Pepe Jeans; Shorts, Zerot Linen Shorts by Pepe Jeans; Pendant necklace, Misho)
When I was doing The Archies, I didn’t think Reggie’s style was my style at all. I remember putting on those high-waisted pants for the first time, they felt so odd. But somehow over the last two or three years, I started relating to Reggie’s style. I draw inspiration from the character in my style now. For public appearances, I like to keep my look classy and chic. But I am usually a jeans and T-shirt person–that’s my go-to look.
(On Raina: Black Solid Vest by Pepe Jeans; Bracelet, Salty Alpha)
When you go to different places and experience different cultures–it’s an extremely enriching experience. Not just as an actor, but as a person also you get to learn so much and subconsciously, I have picked up a lot of things from places that I’ve been to. Travel is important, I enjoy it. I dream about exploring the whole world and going to a lot of places.
(On Raina: Hank Light Blue Denim Shirt by Pepe Jeans; Pant, Maze Khakhi Chinos by Pepe Jeans; Shoes, London Urban Running Sneakers by Pepe Jeans; Bracelets, Salty Alpha)
I’ve tried both. I’d done a trip to Manali a long time ago where nothing was planned. I’d gone with a few friends where we had nothing booked. It felt a bit scary at first, but it was really enjoyable. It’s a different kind of experience–just going to a place without a plan, moving around in a car finding a place to stay and moving out the next day. However, I can’t do it with my family. It has to be more planned with them. So depending on the situation, I like to do both.
(On Raina: Hank Light Blue Denim Shirt by Pepe Jeans; Pant, Maze Khakhi Chinos by Pepe Jeans; Shoes, London Urban Running Sneakers by Pepe Jeans; Bracelets, Salty Alpha)
The travelling we did for The Archies has been my favourite even though it was for work. We spent a lot of time in Turkey and shot one schedule in Mauritius, which was a lot of fun. Those memories are special because it was my first film and I travelled with the cast–people that I am very close to.
But recently, I was in Kashmir and that was such a special experience for me because I’m a Kashmiri. It was my first time going there. I got to learn so much about the places my parents and grandparents come from and learnt so much about my own culture.
(On Raina: Shirt, Arnaud Yellow Cotton Shirt by Pepe Jeans; Jeans, Javian White Denim by Pepe Jeans; Pendant necklace, Misho)
Conscious travel means being more mindful of your vacations and doing the little things that make a lot of difference. For instance, I carry my bottle of water and avoid using plastic bottles. I make sure, I leave a place the way I saw it. I get upset about people littering beautiful places. I feel it’s our responsibility to reduce our carbon footprints while travelling.
(On Raina: Kingsman Off-White Linen Shirt by Pepe Jeans; Shorts, Zerot Linen Shorts by Pepe Jeans; Pendant necklace, Misho)
In Mumbai, there is Americano, which I like. They love their mac and cheese truffle pasta, it’s my favourite. I order that a lot. I mostly order rolls when at home, they are my favourite street food. I’m a night owl, so there are only a few places that are open at 2-3 a.m. So, I order from there, if I feel like snacking or cheating on my diet.
(On Raina: Kingsman Off-White Linen Shirt by Pepe Jeans; Shorts, Zerot Linen Shorts by Pepe Jeans; Pendant necklace, Misho)
I want to go to Iceland to see the Northern Lights. I haven’t seen them yet, but I think that’s one of my goals in terms of travel.
(On Raina: Shirt, Arnaud Yellow Cotton Shirt by Pepe Jeans; Jeans, Javian White Denim by Pepe Jeans; Pendant necklace, Misho)
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She has more than 15 years of experience in lifestyle journalism. She started off her career on the news ..Read More
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