Zoya Akhtar scores another hit with The Archies, a delightful musical treat

Zoya Akhtar is recognized as one of the finest filmmakers in Bollywood, with a track record of delivering unique and captivating films like “Luck By Chance,” “Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara,” and “Gully Boy.” Her latest work, “The Archies,” is now available for streaming on Netflix. The film features Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, Suhana Khan, Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Dot, and Yuvraj Menda in lead roles. The story revolves around 17-year-olds in the Anglo-Indian city of Riverdale facing challenges related to love, jobs, and careers. Their mission to save Green Park from demolition forms the crux of the narrative.

“The Archies” is inspired by characters from Archie Comic books and is set in the 1960s. Zoya Akhtar, along with writers Ayesha Devitre Dhillon and Reema Kagti, seamlessly integrates the Riverdale town concept into an Indian context. The film is presented as a musical, a genre not widely explored in Bollywood. While it may not be Zoya’s best work, it offers a visually appealing and refreshing experience, especially with teenage protagonists.

The film showcases confident debuts from all six actors, with Khushi Kapoor standing out as Betty and Agastya Nanda delivering an impressive debut reminiscent of young Abhishek Bachchan. Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Yuvraj Menda, Dot, and Suhana Khan also contribute positively to their roles. The supporting cast, including Koel Puri, Tara Sharma, Vinay Pathak, Luke Kenny, and Ally Khan, delivers commendable performances.

In a musical, the importance of songs cannot be understated, and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music adds to the film’s charm, with “Va Va Voom” standing out as a highlight. While “The Archies” may not reach the heights of Zoya’s previous works, it is a feel-good movie with a fresh perspective, making it a suitable watch on Netflix.