14 November 2023, Mumbai: Zoya Akhtar’s upcoming film, The Archies, has sparked considerable anticipation since its announcement. Featuring a cast comprising Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda, Yuvraj Menda, Mihir Ahuja, Vedang Raina, and Dot, the filmmaker recently elaborated on her decision to cast emerging talents instead of established A-list actors for the much-awaited project.
Fresh Faces, Bold Choices: Zoya Akhtar’s Vision for The Archies Cast
During a recent conversation, Zoya Akhtar discussed the selection of emerging talents like Agastya Nanda, Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Mihir Ahuja, Vedant Raina, Aditi ‘Dot’ Saigal, and Yuvraj Menda for The Archies. Emphasizing their commitment to casting newcomers, Zoya pointed out that, given the iconic nature of The Archies comic and characters, opting for established actors might introduce preconceived notions, hence the decision to build an entirely fresh cast.
Additionally, she stressed that the new cast had to authentically embody the characters, ensuring that the audience could wholeheartedly believe in their portrayal, “ The second thing was we wanted them to be 17 years old looking. So we needed very young actors and they had to be newcomers. It had to be them.”
Delving into the casting process, Zoya elaborated that every actor auditioned for each character. Given their status as newcomers, the unpredictability added a unique element. Casting directors meticulously recorded auditions, evaluating not only physical attributes but also delving into the individual’s character, personality, essence, and the alignment with each specific character.
Details About The Archies
The Archies depicts the escapades of well-known fictional adolescents—Archie Andrews, Jughead Jones, Betty Cooper, Veronica Lodge, and Reggie Mantle—journeying through love and camaraderie in the 1960s. United, they rally to protect their town, Riverdale, from developers aiming to dismantle a cherished park.
Featuring Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda, Mihir Ahuja, Vedang Raina, Dot, and Yuvraj Menda in pivotal roles, this Indian live-action musical film is produced by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti through their production company Tiger Baby, in collaboration with Graphic India and Archie Comics. The movie is set to premiere on Netflix on December 7 this year.
By Vaishnavi Rastogi