Mumbai, September 11, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Actor Vedang Raina has spoken about his deep emotional connection with Kashmir, describing Srinagar as his “home” and reflecting on the sense of belonging he experiences whenever he visits the Valley.
Speaking at the recently held International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir, Raina joined filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and actress Sharvari for a panel discussion, where he opened up about his family’s roots in Kashmir and his personal connection with the region.
Raina said this was only his second visit to Kashmir and recalled that his earlier trip had been with his family. Despite having visited the Valley only twice, he said every return brings a strong feeling of familiarity and happiness.
Reflecting on the theme of Main Vaapas Aaunga, he said his generation had not experienced Partition and had also not had the opportunity to see Kashmir as much as he would have liked.
Raina said his experience of returning to Kashmir gave him a feeling similar to the title of the film, adding that it genuinely felt as though he had returned home.
The actor said Kashmir would always remain home for him and specifically mentioned Rainawari in Srinagar, where his family has its roots. He said he found it difficult to express in words the happiness he feels when he comes to the city.
Raina belongs to a Kashmiri Pandit family with roots in Rainawari. Born in New Delhi and raised in Mumbai, he has maintained a connection with his family’s ancestral home in Srinagar.
He made his acting debut with Zoya Akhtar’s 2023 musical teen film The Archies, in which he played Reggie Mantle. He subsequently appeared alongside Alia Bhatt in the action thriller Jigra.
Raina most recently starred in Imtiaz Ali’s romantic drama Main Vaapas Aaunga, which marked his first box-office success. The film’s Kashmir connection has made the project particularly significant for the actor, given his family’s ancestral roots in the Valley.
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