Table of Contents
Introduction
“The Archies” is a 2023 Indian Hindi-language teen musical comedy film directed and produced by Zoya Akhtar, along with Reema Kagti under Tiger Baby Films and Sharad Devarajan under Graphic India. The movie showcases the fictional music band associated with Archie Comics and stars Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, Suhana Khan, Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Aditi “Dot” Saigal, and Yuvraj Menda.
The film adaptation of the comic series had been in the works since March 2018, with Zoya Akhtar officially taking on the roles of director and producer in November 2021. After an extensive pre-production phase and casting process, filming took place from April to December 2022 in Ooty, Mauritius, and Mumbai. Cinematography was handled by Nikos Andritsakis, and the original score was composed by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy and Jim Satya. Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy also collaborated with Ankur Tewari, The Islanders, and Saigal for the film’s songs. The project breathes life into the beloved Archie Comics characters, creating a vibrant cinematic experience.
The Archies Movie Story/Plot
The story kicks off with Veronica bringing her pals together in the happy town of Riverdale. But trouble brews when her dad, Mr. Hiram Lodge, plans to build a big shopping spot in the favorite Green Park. He convinces local businesses to move, making folks upset. As the plaza plan takes off, Veronica’s friends start keeping their distance.
In a bold move, Veronica stands up against her dad’s idea, rejoining her friends to defend Riverdale. This brave act shows Veronica’s strong bond with her pals and the unbreakable friendship they share. The film beautifully captures the ups and downs of friendship and loyalty against the backdrop of a changing town.
The movie unfolds a tale of the 1960s, showing how friends stick together to face challenges. It’s not just a story about a town; it’s about the strong connections people have. With its lively story, the film promises to take viewers on an exciting journey, exploring friendship and loyalty while Riverdale goes through some big changes.
The Archies Movie Details
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Zoya Akhtar |
| Written by | Ayesha Devitre Dhillon, Reema Kagti, Zoya Akhtar, Farhan Akhtar (dialogues) |
| Based on | Characters by Archie Comics |
| Produced by | Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Sharad Devarajan, Jon Goldwater |
| Starring | Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, Suhana Khan, Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Aditi “Dot” Saigal, Yuvraj Menda |
| Cinematography | Nikos Andritsakis |
| Music by | Songs: Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Ankur Tewari, The Islanders, Aditi Saigal; Background Score: Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Jim Satya |
| Production companies | Archie Comic Publications, Graphic India, Tiger Baby Films |
| Distributed by | Netflix |
| Release dates | 22 November 2023 (Goa), 7 December 2023 |
| Running time | 144 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Language | Hindi |
| Budget | Estimated ₹40 crore (US$5.0 million) |
The Archies Movie Casting
“The Archies” marks the debut of Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, and Agastya Nanda, with the late Sridevi and Boney Kapoor’s younger daughter also making her first appearance. The film’s principal cast, including Mihir Ahuja, Aditi “Dot” Saigal, Yuvraj Menda, and Vedang Raina, was revealed in a May 2022 announcement video.
The casting received criticism for nepotism, as three principal members came from film families, raising concerns about authenticity given the characters’ light-skinned portrayal. Zoya Akhtar defended the choices, stating that skin tone diversity is prevalent in India and addressing the nepotism issue by clarifying that the comics hinted at a love triangle, leading to misconceptions about the number of leads.
Auditions were conducted for Nanda, Suhana, and Khushi, while Saigal, a singer, and Raina, a model and musician, joined the cast with their unique talents. Despite initial backgrounds, all underwent acting workshops to embody their characters. Akhtar praised their comfort and confidence in front of the camera, noting that their performances do not betray their status as first-time actors. The film not only introduces fresh faces but also showcases their natural acting abilities, making them seamless additions to the world of cinema.
The Archies Movie Direction
Zoya Akhtar’s movie “The Archies” is like a time machine, taking us back to the 1960s. She’s really good at showing us what life was like back then. Zoya doesn’t just use experienced actors; she also brings in fresh faces like Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda, Mihir Ahuja, Vedang Raina, and Khushi Kapoor. This mix of new and seasoned actors, including Alyy Khan and Vinay Pathak, makes the movie well-rounded and powerful.
Zoya Akhtar’s skill in putting together both experienced and new actors is a big part of why the movie feels so real and captivating. It helps us dive deep into the world of The Archies. Seeing new actors alongside seasoned ones makes the story even more interesting and enjoyable. Zoya’s talent as a director shines through, making the film not just a trip to the past but also a fantastic blend of different actors’ skills, giving us a memorable experience with The Archies.
The Archies Movie Songs
| No. | Title | Singer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | “Sunoh” | Tejas, Shivam Mahadevan, Aditi “Dot” Saigal | 3:06 |
| 2 | “Va Va Voom” | Tejas, Chelsea Das, Kiara Alemao, Zoe Siddharth, Aryaman Singh, Brendan Alphonso, Urgen Yolmo, Shaurya Singh, Simran Duggal, Kenishaa Francis, Shane D’Souza | 2:08 |
| 3 | “In Raahon Mein” | Arijit Singh | 3:03 |
| 4 | “Dhishoom Dhishoom” | Aditi “Dot” Saigal, Kelly Dlima | 2:01 |
| 5 | “Plum Pudding” | Ankur Tewari, Shibani Akhtar, Zoya Akhtar | 3:03 |
| 6 | “Asymmetrical” | Aditi “Dot” Saigal, Tejas | 2:33 |
| 7 | “Jab Tum Na Theen” | Suhana Khan, Aditi “Dot” Saigal, Tejas | 2:43 |
| 8 | “Chhoona Aasmaan” | Ankur Tewari | 3:00 |
| 9 | “Everything Is Politics” | Arish B, Aditi “Dot” Saigal, Tejas, Shivam Mahadevan, Vedang Raina | 3:03 |
| 10 | “Yeh Saari Aawazein” | Tejas | 4:10 |
| 11 | “Lonely July” | Ankur Tewari, The Islanders | 2:21 |
| 12 | “Dear Diary” (June) | Aditi “Dot” Saigal | 0:41 |
| 13 | “Dear Diary” (July) | Aditi “Dot” Saigal | 0:52 |
| 14 | “Dear Diary” (September) | Aditi “Dot” Saigal | 1:10 |
| 15 | “Dear Diary” (October) | Aditi “Dot” Saigal | 0:49 |
| 16 | “Sunoh” (Reprise) | Aditi “Dot” Saigal, Shillong Chamber Choir | 3:07 |
The Archies Movie Trailer
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While The Archies offers a nostalgic trip to the 1960s and introduces new talents, it falls short of delivering a groundbreaking cinematic experience. An average film with moments of charm.
- Design
While The Archies offers a nostalgic trip to the 1960s and introduces new talents, it falls short of delivering a groundbreaking cinematic experience. An average film with moments of charm.
