The Archies is based on the Anglo-Indian community in the 60s: Zoya Akhtar

Director Zoya Akhtar, in a conversation with the CEO of Archie Comics, Jon Goldwater, revealed that her upcoming film Netflix’s The Archies is based on the Anglo-Indian community in the 60s.

The film will mark the debut of Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, Mihir Ahuja, Dot, Yuvraj Menda and Vedang Raina.

Zoya is also producing the film with Reema Kagti, under their banner Tiger Baby productions.

 “It's been an absolute honour to be asked to make an Indian adaptation and the first-ever film for this very iconic Archies franchise. This is a surreal experience since Archie Comics was a part of my childhood. It is super exciting to take these beloved characters and introduce them to a new generation but still keep the nostalgia of the original comic alive,” she told Jon.

Earlier, the makers had unveiled the first look of the Indian adaptation of the characters and stories from Archie’s Comics. While many praised the refreshing take, a few on the internet expressed displeasure for it being unrelatable or too ‘western’ for the Indian audience. “We have set it in the Anglo-Indian community in India. It is based on a fictional hill town of Riverdale,” Zoya added.

The Archies is written by Reema Kagti, Zoya, and Ayesha Devitre. The film is described as "a musical experience bursting with youth, rebellion, friendships, first loves and everything young adult, still promises to have something for every generation."