Rising Bharat Summit 2024: Archies actor Vedang Raina says, 'I never expected to be in this position, so whatever is happening is a bonus'

Bollywood actor Vedang Raina spoke at the Rising Bharat Summit 2024 on March 20 in Delhi.

Talking at the session 'New Gen New Genres', on Day 2 at Rising Bharat Summit 2024, the fourth edition of the CNN-News18 marquee leadership conclave held over two days at Taj Palace in New Delhi, the GenNext of Bollywood, Alizeh Agnihotri, Vedang Raina, Rajveer Deol and Palak Tiwari, spoke about how they respond to the spotlight being on them.

When asked whether the Hindi films industry was a natural destination for them, Salman Khan's neice Alizeh Agnihotri said, "I was not sure whether I wanted to act or work in films, but I wanted to work in films. It has actually been a blessed and amazing journey for me with my family’s support" while Sunny Deol's son Rajveer Deol said, “I don’t think you can escape it when it surrounds you so much [being born and growing up in a family of actors]. No matter how many jobs I may take, in the end acting is always there. You can’t escape the shadow. But you have to keep trying else you’ll be eclipsed forever. I can’t do what they (Dharmendra, Sunny, Bobby and Abhay Deol) do no matter how much I try.”

Vedang Raina, who made his debut with Zoya Akhtar's Tiger Baby film The Archies last year, says, “It was all too new for me. It wasn’t my childhood dream to come into films. It was during college that I came into modelling. I used to sing and play the guitar. Eventually, I landed into auditioning. I had no expectations because I never expected to be in this position so whatever is happening is a bonus.”

Raina further added, “For me, it was already a big deal that I had reached a film set. For all of us, we were debutants. I never felt I’m working with people who were carrying such immense legacy but that I was working with friends. I felt at home.” Mumbai boy Raina, who traces his roots to Kashmir and whose parents are from Delhi, spoke a few words in Kashmiri when prodded by the host.

Shweta Tiwari's daughter Palak Tiwari said, “It’s my great fortune that my first film (Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan, 2023) made so many crores (of rupees). Salman (Khan) sir took on charge of the box office, so that tension of a new artiste was taken care of.” “My debut was the music album Bijli, and because of that I am where I am today. But I wanted to do acting,” said Tiwari, adding how the comparison with her mother that she faces is not an issue for her.

If the Farrey actress Alizeh knows which uncle to go to for what — Sohail Khan for the laughs, Arbaaz Khan for advice and Salman to stay young at heart — the most reticent of all the Deols says “He [grandfather Dharmender] likes when I crack jokes and makes him laugh.”

If not an actress Alizeh would have been a director. Vedang would have been a singer, Rajveer would have been in gaming development industry. Palakh says she wouldn't know anything else or be anything else.

Vedang Raina closed the session by singing the song Lal Ishq.

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