Zoya Akhtar's The Archies to debut on Netflix in December, offers a unique Anglo-Indian twist

Mumbai: Netflix has announced the anticipated release date for Zoya Akhtar's much-awaited film, The Archies, which will premiere on December 7. The film's cast gathered on Mumbai's Western Express Highway to unveil a billboard displaying a countdown timer to its premiere.

The movie is a coming-of-age musical that draws inspiration from the beloved Archie Comics characters and adds an Anglo-Indian flavour to the mix.

Production for The Archies concluded last December, with Akhtar collaborating as co-writer alongside Ayesha Devitre (Gehraiyaan) and Reema Kagti (Made in Heaven).

In this reimagination by Zoya Akhtar, the fictional town of Riverdale takes on an Anglo-Indian identity, transporting the setting to a hill station in the vibrant 1960s. The story follows the adventures of Archie and his friends as they navigate friendship, heartbreak, rebellion, school protests, dance parties, and more.

A teaser presented during Netflix's Tudum event offered glimpses of rock ‘n' roll elements.

However, some viewers expressed concerns over the adaptation's perceived heavy Western influence. The film's cast and costume design were also initially criticised for not accurately representing India in 1964.

In response, the director emphasised the fictional nature of the project and highlighted its focus on the Anglo-Indian community.

The Archies movie marks the fourth live-action adaptation to stem from the comics, following The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Katy Keene, and the recently concluded Riverdale.

Netflix's rendition of The Archies features Agastya Nanda in the role of the charming Archie Andrews, who finds himself torn between his affections for Betty and Veronica. Notably, due to the Anglo-Indian twist, some or all of the characters might bear different names compared to their counterparts in the original comic book series. Khushi Kapoor portrays the kind-hearted Betty, while Suhana Khan takes on the role of the affluent and confident Veronica Lodge.

The ensemble also includes Vedang Raina as the self-centred Reggie Mantle, Aditi ‘Dot' Saigal as Riverdale's aspiring hairstylist Ethel Muggs, and Mihir Ahuja as the food-loving Jughead Jones. Interestingly, Jughead's iconic crown-shaped cap from the comics has been replaced with a flat cap reminiscent of Peaky Blinders.

Co-produced by Zoya Akhtar's Tiger Baby Films and Sharad Devarajan's Graphics India, The Archies movie adds to the filmmaker's impressive repertoire.

Earlier this month, Akhtar released the second season of Made in Heaven on Amazon Prime Video, continuing the saga of wedding planners played by Sobhita Dhulipala and Arjun Mathur. This new instalment delves into a female perspective, exploring themes of abuse, mistrust, and divorce.