The Netflix Hindi film stars Agastya Nanda as Archie Andrews, Khushi Kapoor as Betty Cooper, Suhana Khan as Veronica Lodge, Vedang Raina as Reggie Mantle, Mihir Ahuja as Jughead Jones, Aditi ‘Dot’ Saigal as Ethel Muggs, Yuvraj Menda as Dilton Doiley, and others.
The screenplay, written by Ayesha Devitre Dhillon, Reema Kagti, and Zoya Akhtar, is adapted from Archie Comics. The film is directed by Zoya Akhtar.
The Archies is set in the 1960s, in independent India, where the Anglo-Indian community still exists. A group of teenagers want to save their favourite green park, where they’ve had many great childhood memories.
The Archies on Netflix begins by teasing a love triangle between Betty, Archie, and Veronica. But there is very little chemistry between either of the couples.
The strength of Akhtar’s movie lies mostly in the musical numbers and the message they convey, rather than the exchanges that happen between the characters.
The movie discusses how big corporations are going to take away the essence and simplicity of the town. The issue is played out quite well sometimes.
The world of Netflix’s The Archies movie doesn’t look like it’s India, and so there is a curiosity to see what goes on there.
It’s sad to see the friendship and romantic chemistry lacking in Zoya’s film. She has given us Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara and Dil Dhadakne Do. The filmmaker understands the depth of relationships.
Suhana Khan gets the sass of Veronica Lodge right, although she overdoes it sometimes. But as a debutant, she radiates great confidence on screen and has amazing dancing skills. Agastya Nanda, as Archie Andrew, does a decent job.