The Archies Movie ReviewIntroductionThe Archies is an Indian Hindi language teen musical comedy 2023 film directed by Zoya Akhtar. She co-produced the film alongside Reema Kagti and Sharad Devarajan under Tiger Baby Films and Graphic India. The film stars Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, Suhana Khan, Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Aditi "Dot" Saigal, and Yuvraj Menda as the fictional rock band affiliated with Archie Comics. The film adaptation of the comics was in development in March 2018 until Akhtar's involvement as director and producer was disclosed in November 2021. After a lengthy pre-production and casting process, the film was shot continuously in Ooty, Mauritius, and Mumbai from April to December 2022. Nikos Andritsakis handled the film's cinematography, while Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Jim Satya composed the original score. He penned the songs alongside Ankur Tewari, The Islanders, and Saigal. The Archies premiered at India's 54th International Film Festival on November 22, 2023, and was available on Netflix on December 7, 2023. Reviewers gave the film mixed to unfavorable reviews. Cast and CharactersThe characters in the movie were portrayed by,
PlotThe story follows Archie and his friends as they navigate friendship, romance, and civic responsibility as their beloved park faces demolition to make way for a hotel. The film is set in 1964 in Riverdale, India. ProductionDevelopmentVariety reported in March 2018 that a feature film starring the fictional rock band with an Indian cast was in development for the Indian adaptation of Archie Comics, which was managed by Sharad Devarajan, CEO of Graphic India. The film was officially unveiled in November 2021 as a Netflix original feature, with Zoya Akhtar collaborating with Reema Kagti to direct and produce it under Tiger Baby Films. This was the company's first standalone production, despite having previously produced Gully Boy (2019). As a self-proclaimed comic book fan, Akhtar wanted the adaptation to be nostalgic and familiar not only to comic book fans but also to millennial generations who were unfamiliar with the comics, so she had to take themes that would resonate with them and blend them with nostalgia, describing it as a film "rooted in reality but dreamy as well." Akhtar, Kagti, and Ayesha Devitre Dhillon worked on the script for The Archies. Akhtar and her creative team visited members of the Anglo-Indian community to gather references and collect vintage photos to replicate their style, all to make the characters as closely related to the comics as possible. She said, "There was an idealism that we will make the world a better place. The story takes place in the 1960s, a time known for anti-war demonstrations, the American civil rights struggle, hippie culture, and the music of the Beatles and Bob Dylan. That was the time when people believed they could change the world. There was some revolt, some peace, and some love. It was also the rock 'n' roll era. So we wanted to bring in the entire vibe of that age." CastingThe Archies witnessed the debut of Shah Rukh Khan's daughter Suhana Khan, as well as the late Sridevi and Boney Kapoor's younger daughter Khushi Kapoor, and Amitabh Bachchan's grandson Agastya Nanda. An announcement trailer for the film, released in May 2022, revealed the additional key cast members, Mihir Ahuja, Aditi "Dot" Saigal, Yuvraj Menda, and Vedang Raina. The casting was criticized for nepotism because three of the main characters were related to famous actors, as well as the fact that the primary leads were light-skinned, which felt out of place as per the historical period. Akhtar rejected the charges by highlighting that many Indians have fair skin. Regarding nepotism, Akhtar highlighted that the comics only depicted the love triangle between the three major characters (Archie, Betty, and Veronica). Hence, it was falsely stated that there were three leads. The film, however, included seven leading actors. Nanda, Suhana, and Khushi all auditioned before getting selected. Suhana and Khushi, among the other significant cast members in the background-Saigal was a singer, while Raina was a model and musician who had never considered acting-were interested in acting. Menda was chosen because Zoya discovered him on Instagram. Saigal first met Akhtar for music, and she encouraged her to audition. The cast members participated in acting workshops to prepare for their roles. Regarding their acting abilities, Akhtar added, "They all have a particular comfort in front of the camera, a particular kind of confidence that comes through. It's impossible to tell that this is their first time. They are not self-conscious or self-conscious in their skin." FilmingThe film's lead cast was present during the test shoot, which began in March 2022. Initial shooting for the film began on April 18, 2022, with the first schedule beginning at The Lawrence School in Lovedale, near Ooty. The work was completed in two months. The crew returned to Mumbai in July 2022 to film the second schedule, which featured a skating routine choreographed by Ganesh Hegde. After a two-month schedule break, a few moments and another song sequence choreographed by Bosco-Caesar were shot over ten days at the Royal Palms in Mumbai at the end of the month. Plenty of scenes were also shot in Mauritius. The cast and crew adhered to safety protocols during the shoot in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. MusicAnkur Tewari, The Islanders, Aditi "Dot" Saigal, and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy composed the soundtrack, and Javed Akhtar, Tewari, and Saigal wrote the lyrics. The soundtrack was published by Sony Music India on November 25, 2023. MarketingThe first glimpse image and teaser showcasing the cast of the film were revealed on May 14, 2022. The actors of the movie did a dance routine as part of the promotion on June 17, 2023, at the Tudum 2023 fan event in São Paulo, Brazil. The teaser trailer for the film premiered at the event and was later published on social media the following day. The crew produced a visually improved advertisement to promote the film's premiere, which featured an aircraft passing over the Gateway of India in late June 2023. Akhtar used Instagram in August and October 2023 to reveal character previews and posters for the film's cast. A large billboard displaying the number of days till the release was placed on Mumbai's Western Express Highway after the announcement of the release on August 30, 2023. The official trailer was released on November 9, 2023. The cast members visited Hindu College, Shri Ram College of Commerce, and Miranda House in Delhi from November 22 to 23, 2023, and attended a promotional event in Mumbai's Film City on November 25. They also appeared on the fifteenth season of the game show Kaun Banega Crorepati, which debuted on December 6, 2023. Furthermore, the team collaborated with several brands, including Starbucks, BoAt, Vistara, Flipkart, Maybelline, Skybags, WhatsApp, and Tinder, to launch products as part of campaigns. ReleaseThe movie made its debut on November 22, 2023, at the 54th International Film Festival of India. It was launched on Netflix on December 7, 2023. ReviewDirector Zoya Akhtar brings the beloved Archies Comics to the big screen, providing a vibrant, energetic, and delightful Bollywood experience. Above all, she visualizes it as a musical comedy for adolescents. There have only been a few high school musical dramas in Hindi films. The screen is loaded with dream pop-style scenes and has a beautiful retro appearance and vibe. The 90s kids' favorite teenagers include Archie Andrews (Agastya Nanda), Veronica Lodge (Suhana Khan), Betty Cooper (Khushi Kapoor), Jughead (Mihir Ahuja), Reggie Mantle (Vedang Raina), Ethel Muggs (Dot), and Dilton Doiley (Yuvraj Menda). The picture doesn't quite reach the same level of sarcasm as the comics, which concentrate on the group's absurd activities. The characters are almost all adults who must choose between passion and practicality or progress. The idea of true friendship is mixed with activism as the gang fights to prevent Green Park, a center of culture, from being destroyed to make room for a large hotel. The movie is enjoyable and functions nicely as a musical. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Ankur Tewari, The Islanders, and Dot deliver energetic and pleasant tracks, particularly 'Dhishoom,' 'Sunoh,' and 'Va Voom.' Gautam Hegde's choreography in the songs adds to the film's visual appeal. The Archie universe's charming personalities are its best asset, and the introduction of new faces is no exception. Suhana Khan plays the wealthy and privileged Veronica Lodge, who finds herself caught between her clever businessman father and her commitment to friends. Agastya Nanda stands out as the confused Archie, who embraces life for the sake of living but must learn that 'everything is politics' and can't choose between Veronica and Betty. Khushi Kapoor shines as Betty, and she has plenty of space to shine during her emotional scenes, which she delivered brilliantly. Mihir Ahuja, as the charming Jughead, is equally as good as Vedang Raina as Reggie and Dot as Ethel. Yuvraj Menda, who plays Dilton, the nerdy yet cute teen, deserves special mention. Every newcomer has a chance to shine. The second half of the film loses momentum and could have been more interesting as the battle escalates. The resolution is simple, and the remedies are practical. Overall, while the era, appearance, and atmosphere are well-crafted, the film falls short of expectations. Seeing a bunch of new faces put their best foot forward, whether they're expressing on TV or rocking out to 60s music, is entertaining. Conclusion"The Archies" movie perfectly captures the essence of the renowned comic book, bringing the iconic characters to life on the big screen with a mix of humor, nostalgia, and a modern touch. The film's compelling storyline, vivid cinematography, and well-executed performances make it a fun cinematic experience for both longtime fans and newcomers. The film successfully strikes a balance between paying homage to the original work and providing an alternate viewpoint on the timeless characters due to its upbeat soundtrack and endearing depiction of the Archie gang. Overall, "The Archies" is a charming and engaging picture that honors the comic's past while also providing a fun and modern cinematic experience. Next TopicNCERT Solutions |
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