Vedika Pinto is steadily building her career in Hindi entertainment, moving from music videos to feature films and streaming projects. The actor, who first caught widespread attention as the animated bride in Ritviz’s ‘Liggi’ music video, has since appeared in films including Operation Romeo, Gumraah and the Nishaanchi franchise.
Her latest project, ‘Musafir Cafe’, has given her another opportunity to explore a layered character. In a recent interview with the Free Press Journal, Pinto discussed her years of auditions, the story behind her name, Ranveer Singh following her on Instagram and why the ending of Musafir Cafe differs from the source novel.
Vedika Pinto Recalls Years of Auditions in Mumbai
Pinto revealed that auditions have been an important part of her journey since she completed college.
According to the actor, she began exploring acting workshops across Mumbai while simultaneously attending auditions for different projects. Rather than viewing the casting process purely as a challenge, Pinto said she genuinely enjoyed auditioning.
“After college, I started auditioning, and looking at all acting workshops I could find in Mumbai. I love giving auditions, it’s one of my favourite activities,” she told the publication.
She recalled that between 2017 and 2020, she attended a large number of auditions as she worked towards establishing herself in the industry.
Her journey eventually took her from music videos into feature films and, later, streaming projects.
The Story Behind Vedika Pinto’s Name
During the conversation, Pinto also explained the meaning and family significance behind her first name.
She said Vedika has spiritual associations, including a meaning connected with an altar of worship and the divine feminine in the context of the Vedas.
Pinto also described her family’s multicultural background. She explained that her father has Goan Portuguese heritage, while her mother is Punjabi and from Kolkata.
According to the actor, her family maintains traditions connected to both backgrounds. They attend church during Christmas and also visit places of Hindu worship, including Shirdi and Vaishnodevi.
She described her name as a meaningful connection between her family’s different cultural and religious influences.
Vedika Pinto on Ranveer Singh Following Her on Instagram
Pinto also had a light-hearted moment while discussing Ranveer Singh and his Instagram connection with her.
The actor said she believes Ranveer began following her around the time of her appearance in the ‘Liggi’ music video.
Although Pinto has met the Bollywood star, she admitted that she has never felt the need to ask him about why or when he followed her.
“I think that is from around Liggi time. Though I have met him, the thought that I should ask him about it never even crossed my mind,” she said, according to the Free Press Journal interview.
Her recollection suggests that the social-media connection has remained a curious but relatively minor detail for her rather than something she has actively tried to investigate.
Why Was the ‘Musafir Cafe’ Ending Changed?
One of the more significant topics Pinto addressed was the difference between the ending of Musafir Cafe and the book that inspired the series.
She explained that the original novel was written in 2016, while the adaptation reflects changing perspectives and approaches to storytelling.
Pinto particularly highlighted what she described as a stronger female gaze in the series’ writing.
“The novel was written in 2016, and generally the narrative has also changed in the last 10 years. I think that our writer, Sharanya, also wanted to give a female gaze to the characters,” she said.
Sudha’s Story Took a Different Direction in the Series
Pinto explained that Sudha’s storyline in the original book develops differently from what viewers see in the screen adaptation.
According to the actor, the novel ends with Sudha returning with Chander’s eight-year-old child. Pinto suggested that this aspect of the original story also affected how she viewed Chander’s character.
For the series, however, the ending was changed.
“I don’t know who made this executive decision, but I think they must have done it in the writer’s room,” Pinto said.
She explained that the decision appeared consistent with the way Sudha had been developed for the screen.
“The way we portrayed Sudha, it would not make sense for her to have a child, because then she will be going against everything that she stood for,” she added.
Vedika Pinto Says Viewers Can Interpret the Characters
The ending of Musafir Cafe has generated differing reactions among viewers, something Pinto acknowledged during the interview.
While she recognised that not everyone has agreed with the direction taken by the series, she believes interpretation ultimately belongs to the audience.
“People are not completely in agreement with the way we ended the series, but I guess at the end of the day we play characters for people to interpret,” she said.
Her comments underline the difference between adapting a published story and creating a screen version that reflects a different narrative perspective.
Vedika Pinto Says There Are Exciting Projects in the Pipeline
When asked about her upcoming work beyond the second season of Musafir Cafe, Pinto said she has not signed anything concrete that she is ready to announce.
However, she indicated that several opportunities are currently being discussed.
“Well, I haven’t signed anything concrete yet, but there are very exciting things on the table and I don’t want to jinx them by mentioning them now!” she said.
For an actor who spent years attending auditions, Pinto said having multiple scripts to consider now feels like an important milestone.
‘The Bachpan Wali Vedika Is Very Happy Now’
Pinto recalled telling her parents that she would consider herself established in the industry when she began receiving scripts to read and choose from.
“I am proud to state that I would always tell my parents, ‘I will feel I have a place in the industry as soon as I have scripts to read!’” she said.
She added that the younger version of herself would be happy with where her career has reached, as she now has new stories arriving regularly and the opportunity to decide which projects feel right for her.
Who Stars in ‘Musafir Cafe’?
Directed by Ruchir Arun, Musafir Cafe is created and written by Sharanya Rajgopal and draws inspiration from characters created by author Divya Prakash Dubey.
The series features Vikrant Massey, Vedika Pinto and Mahima Makwana in leading roles, alongside Adil Hussain, Rajeev Siddhartha, Anubha Fatehpuria, Loveleen Mishra and Sadia Siddiqui.
Pinto plays Sudha Tripathi, whose choices and personal journey form an important part of the series.
With discussions around the adaptation, its changed ending and the future of its characters continuing among viewers, Pinto’s comments offer a closer look at the creative thinking behind the screen version of Musafir Cafe.
