Hanging out with Vritika Gupta

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Vritika Gupta is making waves with her standout role in Under the Bridge, a true crime drama that explores the tragic story of Reena Virk. At such a young age, Vritika has already captured the hearts of audiences with her compelling performance, balancing the emotional weight of portraying a real-life person with a depth and maturity beyond her years. Editor in chief, Lucy Ivey had the opportunity to sit down with Vritika to discuss her journey with Under the Bridge, how she prepared for such an emotionally charged role, and what her future in acting holds.

Lucy Ivey: Vritika! How are you? How’s everything going for you?

Vritika Gupta: I’m good! It’s definitely been different since the show came out. A lot of things in my life have changed, but a lot of things have stayed the same too. It’s been a really fun ride, and I’m excited to see what happens next.

Lucy: That’s awesome! Can you tell me how you got involved with Under the Bridge and what attracted you to the project?

Vritika: So, originally, I didn’t even know it was a true story! Being part of a project that takes a deep dive into something that happens all over the world but focuses on one story was really important to me. When I auditioned in June 2022, none of us knew it was based on real events since they used different names. After I auditioned, I didn’t hear back for a few months. Then in October, I got called for a series of callbacks and chemistry reads with different actors. I remember meeting the other actresses, and it just clicked—we all had such good chemistry. I found out I got the role in November.

Lucy: Amazing! What was your reaction when you found out?

Vritika: Oh my gosh, I was beyond thrilled. I had just come back from a volleyball game, and my mom was recording my reaction when she told me. I was screaming in the hallways of my school, and all the younger students were so confused. It was such an exciting moment!

Lucy: That’s incredible. Did you have any fears going into the project, especially since it’s based on a true story? It’s such a tragic story, and you want to honor Reena in the right way. What were your thoughts going in?

Vritika: There was definitely pressure playing a real-life person, but I was lucky to have a strong support system around me. The rehearsals we had before shooting really helped us get into the right mindset and build chemistry. There was always a sense of safety on set, but of course, there’s still pressure when portraying real-life events. Ultimately, it's up to the audience to see how they take it, but I believe we all did our best.

Lucy: Absolutely, you did a beautiful job. My roommate and I binge-watched the show and loved it, especially how young the cast was. It’s not something you see very often, and you all did an amazing job.

Vritika: Thank you so much, that means a lot!

Lucy: So, what kind of research did you do to understand Reena’s background and her relationships with her family and friends?

Vritika: I wanted to understand Reena not just as a teenager but also as a sister and a friend. It’s hard to fit in as a teen, both now and back then. I read Rebecca Godfrey’s book Under the Bridge, which helped me understand how Rebecca viewed the story and the characters. I also read Munshi’s book to get insight into Reena’s life as a family member. Quinn and Samir showed me some rare photographs and video clips of Reena, and one thing that stood out was her missing-person photo. When we recreated that, I really focused on capturing the meaning behind her smile. It was such a small detail but held so much significance.

Lucy: Wow, that’s so powerful. Tell me about working with Quinn. What was that experience like?

Vritika: It was a dream. Quinn was always open to our ideas, which made it easy to collaborate. We had so much fun on set—laughing, crying, and bonding over the project. It was really special.

Lucy: I thought you were like 15 or 16, that’s so cool! So what grade are you going into?

Vritika: I’m going into high school, so I’m going into freshman year. Right now, I’m in eighth grade.

Lucy: That’s amazing. Are you excited for high school?

Vritika: Yeah, I’m pretty excited. I really did love my middle school, though, because everyone knew everyone. But my middle school is getting split into three high schools, so three-quarters of my middle school is going to one high school, and one-quarter, including me, is going to another. It’s a bit sad, but I have some great friends going with me, so I’m super excited.

Lucy: That is tough, separating from people you’re used to. So going into how you made sure you honored Reena’s story and legacy in your portrayal—how did visiting places like Victoria and the bridge play into your process as an actor and prepping for the role?

Vritika Gupta: I think visiting those places made us feel closer to Reena and the story. It helped create a strong bond and chemistry among the cast, which translated onto the screen. I remember before visiting the bridge, we went to a local grocery store and got cupcakes that Reena liked. I also wrote a little poem for her and bought her favorite plants. Those small gestures made me feel more connected to her, and being able to share that experience with the rest of the cast made it even more special.

Lucy: That must have been very powerful. Were you able to watch many of the scenes that other cast members filmed?

Vritika: I read all the scripts and knew what was happening in each scene, but I didn’t get to watch the scenes I wasn’t in while we were filming. It was only when I saw the show for the first time that everything came together for me. Seeing the full picture on screen made so much more sense and was a really exciting experience.

Lucy: That must have been incredible to see it all come together. What message do you hope audiences take away from watching Under the Bridge?

Vritika: I hope audiences understand that it takes more than just kindness and positivity to be a source of safety and support for others. Surrounding yourself with trustworthy and loving people is crucial, and it all starts with who you choose to be around.

Lucy: Going back a bit, you were very young when you filmed this. What were you doing before this project? Were you in school, and what were your hobbies?

Vritika: My sister started acting first, and I got interested in it because of her. I took a bunch of classes and did theater for a while before transitioning to on-camera work. I did commercials and short films, which I found super fun. Besides acting, I play volleyball on a club team and I’m a competitive swimmer. I also love hanging out with friends, baking, and hiking. Acting has always intrigued me, and it’s something I want to pursue long-term.

Lucy: How do you think growing up in Washington impacted your desire to pursue the arts?

Vritika: Growing up in a close-knit community where everyone knows each other made me feel secure and happy. I loved being home with friends and watching movies, especially on rainy or snowy days. Watching behind-the-scenes footage of films made me think it looked like so much fun, and I wanted to be part of that world. The supportive environment here encouraged me to pursue my dreams, and I’m grateful for that.

Lucy: What were your friends’ reactions when you landed this role?

Vritika: When I left for Canada to film, my friends threw me a goodbye party and made me a basket of gifts. They had a watch party for the show and sent me videos of their reactions. They were so proud and emotional, which made me feel really supported. Going back to school, everyone was amazed, and it was funny to see their reactions, especially since I was just a regular student with them before.

Lucy: It’s funny how things change once you’ve done something cool. What are your future goals or dreams in the industry? Are there any specific genres or projects you’d like to work on?

Vritika: I think every genre has its unique appeal, but I’d love to work on a horror movie. They keep you on the edge of your seat and are intriguing to see behind the scenes. I’m open to exploring various types of projects and seeing where they take me.

Lucy: Have you seen any recent horror movies that you found particularly impressive?

Vritika: I watched Old recently, which was more of a psychological thriller. The way it kept you guessing until the end and the attention to detail was amazing. I’d love to be involved in something like that.

Lucy: Is there anything else you’d like to add?

Vritika: I hope everyone enjoys the series and finds something meaningful in it. It’s just one story among many, and I hope people can learn from it.

Lucy: Thank you so much. This was amazing. You’re incredibly talented, and I’m excited to see what’s next for you.

Vritika: Thank you so much! I had a great time talking with you.

Vritika Gupta’s passion for storytelling and commitment to honoring the legacy of real-life figures like Reena Virk shines through in every moment of our conversation. As she embarks on her high school journey and continues to develop her craft, it’s clear that this is just the beginning for the talented young actress. With a bright future ahead, we can’t wait to see what incredible stories she’ll bring to life next. Keep an eye out—this is one rising star you won't want to miss.