The word ‘juxtaposition’ best describes Vedang Raina. A sci-fi aficionado with a penchant for the ‘60s, the actor has garnered fans for both his voice and on-screen presence. There’s an undeniable innocence to his demeanour, but there’s more than meets the eye. Behind his poster-boy pulp fiction looks and angelic voice is a grounded man who’s only just begun to discover the allure of his name.
On Vedang Raia: Logo embroidered regular fit sweatshirt, back logo print T-shirt and lightly washed slim fit jeans, all by GAP India.
It all began with a tabla when Raina was just a child. His parents encouraged him to pick up an instrument, and he did — until a friend convinced him to switch to the guitar. The nine-year-old’s decision proved serendipitous as he quickly became part of the school band, marking the start of his musical journey. However, it wasn’t until college that Raina truly began to take music seriously. He joined a music committee and formed a band, which would soon push him into the world of acting.
On Vedang Raina: Archives labels overshirt and B23 high top logo oblique shoes, both by Dior. Carpets by Cocoon Fine Rugs.
A chance suggestion from friends, a few portfolio pictures, and some self-recorded covers of songs like ‘Phir Le Aya Dil’ were sent to agencies, and suddenly, the 17-year-old Raina found himself auditioning for acting roles. His first big break? Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies. A surprise phone call, the kind he’d received before but never truly believed. But this time, the deal was real. “I didn’t tell my parents until the next day,” he laughs, recalling the disbelief.
On Vedang Raina: Corduroy jacket with flap pockets, Oxford button-down long sleeve shirt and baggy fit cargos, all by Gap India. Vintage Tiffany & Co. ring by Viange Vintage. Bryson shoes by Birkenstock
When Raina stepped on the set for the first time, he was nervous — really nervous. It was a new experience, with most of the cast, including him, making their on-screen debuts. “The first shot I had was doing push-ups in a park with Archie (Agastya Nanda),” he shares. It wasn’t a typical first-day shoot — no intense scenes or dialogue, just a fun, casual moment. But the nerves were real. “The next day, I got used to it, and it became better,” he adds.
On Vedang Raina: Light blue cotton shirt and navy blue trousers, both by Bally. IWC Portugieser by ICW Watches Art Of Time India. Vintage Tiffany & Co. ring by Viange Vintage.
The real test came with his second project, Jigra, where the pressure was on. “For The Archies, we were all figuring things out. But for Jigra, I was working with Alia (Bhatt) for the first time, and that added a new level of nervousness. It was a completely different kind of fear.”
On Vedang Raina: Logo embroidered regular fit hooded sweatshirt and trousers, both by GAP India. Reykjavik shoes by Birkenstock. Vintage Tiffany & Co. ring by Viange Vintage.
Having already worked with some of the best directors in the industry, Raina understands the importance of a good mentor. “Zoya was like a friend. She really took care of us like we were her kids. With Vasan (Bala), it was very different. He works in the moment. It’s all about improvisation. He gives you a line right before a take, and you just go with it. It was a very different learning experience.”
On Vedang Raia: Logo embroidered regular fit sweatshirt, back logo print T-shirt and lightly washed slim fit jeans, all by GAP India.
In ‘Jigra’, Raina had the rare opportunity to act and provide the playback for his character. “It was like voicing your own self; singing and acting in the same project was a dream come true. I was lucky to do both — there was even a music video for the title track, which was amazing.”
On Vedang Raina: Distorted giant damier crewneck by Louis Vuitton. Vintage Tiffany & Co. ring by Viange Vintage.
When it comes to genres, Raina doesn’t have a specific favourite one in either music or films. “I can definitely point to some, but I enjoy a wide range of things. If I had to pick, I'd say I gravitate toward slice-of-life stories, and thrillers always excite me. If I had to name some films that would be my favourites, number one would be Interstellar. I remember watching it as a kid, and it changed a lot for me.”
As for Bollywood, he shares, “My earliest memories are tied to Hrithik Roshan films. Dhoom 2 was something I was obsessed with, and Krrish was another big one for me. But what really made an impact was Rang De Basanti. I remember enjoying it so much as a kid, and it really shaped my perspective towards films.”
On Vedang Raina: Corduroy jacket with flap pockets, Oxford button-down long sleeve shirt and baggy fit cargos, all by Gap India. Vintage Tiffany & Co. ring by Viange Vintage.
While he’s quickly becoming known for his acting and singing talents, the star has also caught the attention of the fashion industry. A few months ago, he walked the runway for acclaimed designer Gaurav Gupta, and it’s no surprise — his personal style is the perfect blend of effortless ensembles and vintage sophistication. “I like to dress up chic,” he says. “I gravitate toward that ‘60s style. It’s classic, as people on the internet say, old-money vibes, and I really enjoy it.”
When asked who his style icons are, Raina and I share favourites. “Austin Butler — he dresses very classy. I think I’ve tried to emulate that to some degree. Jacob Elordi is also cool. He’s edgy, but I can’t pull off the full edgy look like him.”
On Vedang Raina: Archives labels overshirt and B23 high top logo oblique shoes, both by Dior. Carpets by Cocoon Fine Rugs.
I obviously had to ask the loved rising star if he had a ‘BRAT Summer’ — a term that refers to a carefree, rebellious time in one’s life — Raina chuckles. “What’s a BRAT Summer? I know it’s related to Charli XCX,” he laughs, but before realising he might be out of the loop on this Gen Z term. “I guess my BRAT summer was when I went bald for Jigra. That was rebellious, right?”
On Vedang Raina: Logo embroidered regular fit hooded sweatshirt and trousers, both by GAP India. Vintage Tiffany & Co. ring by Viange Vintage. Reykjavik shoes by Birkenstock.
As for what’s next for Raina, he remains mysterious. “I have a few things lined up, but nothing I can confirm yet,” he teases, making us all the more curious. “Hopefully, early next year, I’ll start shooting for something new. But for now, I’m just enjoying the journey.” From his effortlessly cool style to his grounded personality, Vedang Raina is everything we need in a modern-day heartthrob.
ELLE India Editor: Ainee Nizami Ahmedi; Fashion Director: Zoha Castelino; Asst. Art Director: Alekha Chugani; Makeup: Vivek Singh; Hair Stylist: Alistan Fernandes; Editorial Coordinator: Anushka Patil; Assisted by: Komal Shetty (Lead Stylist); Idris Nidham, Barnaa Raha (styling); Zehra Ahmedi (bookings); Production: CutLoose Productions; Artist Reputation Management: Communiqué Film PR