Vedang Raina calls Kashmir home at IFFJK

Vedang Raina declared Kashmir his home during the International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir (IFFJK), speaking on a panel with Imtiaz Ali and Sharvari for Main Vaapas Aaunga. “This is only my second visit to Kashmir. But whenever I come here, last time I came with my family, I am very happy. It feels like this is my home,” Raina said. He added, “And like you were saying about Main Vaapas Aaunga – our generation has never seen a partition. Neither has my generation seen Kashmir as much as I wanted to see. So I am very happy every time I come here.”

He drew a parallel with his partition-era drama, continuing, “I am getting the same feeling as Main Vaapas Aaunga. It truly feels like Main Vaapas Aa Gaya Hu… And Kashmir will always be home. Srinagar will always be home. I am from Raina Wari. My family is from Raina Wari. And when I come to Srinagar, I am very happy. I can’t express it in words.”

Raina’s remarks underscore his deep personal connection to the region, rooted in his family’s origins in Raina Wari, a locality in Srinagar. The actor—known for The Archies (2023) and for Main Vaapas Aaunga—has often spoken about representing Kashmir authentically on screen.

Main Vaapas Aaunga, set against a partition-era backdrop, marked a significant step in Raina’s career, showcasing his range and signaling his rising profile in Hindi cinema. His emotional return to Kashmir at IFFJK underscores the film’s themes and the ties the valley holds for him.

The International Film Festival of Jammu & Kashmir, now in its second edition, aims to promote regional storytelling and bring national attention to Kashmir’s cultural and cinematic landscape. Raina’s presence added star power to the event, while his words offered a poignant reminder of Kashmir’s enduring place in the hearts of its diaspora.

DPIFF coverage of the festival continues on our DPIFF news page and updates from the DPIFF newsroom.

For the original report of Raina’s remarks, read the original Bollywood Hungama report.

Raina’s Kashmir homecoming underscores the enduring bond between place and performance, highlighting why DPIFF continues to champion regional storytelling. For more coverage, follow our DPIFF news and explore related DPIFF stories in the newsroom, and check back for future updates on Vedang Raina and Main Vaapas Aaunga.