The Archies trailer brings to life the 1960s, as re-imagined by Zoya Akhtar

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It’s just 25 days to go for the film. Netflix India has launched the much-anticipated trailer of The Archies, a Zoya Akhtar spectacle produced by Tiger Baby, Graphic India and Archie Comics, which transports the audience to the whimsical world of 1960s Riverdale in India. The trailer unfolds a musical narrative led by seven charming characters from the beloved Archie comics, steering through the retro alleys of love, friendship and youthful aspirations.

Earlier glimpses into the world of The Archies were provided through a teaser, engaging character posters, and the tunes of Sunoh and Va Va Voom. Each element presented a doorway into the quaint yet vibrant world of Riverdale, now ingeniously set as a hill-station in India. With the release of the trailer, the door swings open wider, unveiling a deeper glimpse into a narrative filled with music, camaraderie and a quest to make their voices heard.

The trailer signs off with a profound message ‘You are never too young to change the world,” leaving audiences curious and yearning for the full narrative to unfold.

Speaking about the trailer, director Zoya Akhtar shared, “Having spent a lot of my childhood  living in an Archie comic, I am thrilled to introduce Riverdale to this generation. The characters are iconic, their teenage life innocent, the world simpler, a time when less was more. Archie Comics, Netflix, Tiger Baby and Graphic India were in complete sync and wanted the adaptation to be as wholesome as the original comics. It’s clean, young adult content and was very fresh for Reema and me to work on. It’s also very exciting that a global IP chose the India film industry to make its first feature. I am excited to get it out there.”

Now this is one subject directors of even the 1970s would have given their left feet to make. The nearest any film came to replicate that era was Ken Ghosh’s Ishq Vishk, released two decades back.

Adding onto that, Monika Shergill, vice-president for Content at Netflix, said, “The Archie comics, with their timeless charm and universal theme of friendship, was a loved IP to adapt to the Indian cultural tapestry. We set out with the ambition to make a live action film with an Indian twist, and Zoya and Reema were the perfect choice to bring the story to life. They are incredible storytellers and have made a film full of color and heart, fantastic characters and toe-tapping songs. The Archies is truly a family entertainer with a touch of delicious nostalgia.”

The story of The Archies is not just a tale to be told, but an experience waiting to be lived. It will release on Netflix on December 7.

It stars Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, Dot, Mihir Ahuja, Suhana Khan, Vedang Raina and Yuvraj Menda. Produced by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti, Sharad Devarajan and Archie Comics, the film is written by Reema Kagti, Zoya Akhtar and Ayesha Devitre and has music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Amkur Tewari, The Islanders and Dot. Javed Akhtar pens the lyrics with Ankur Tewari and Dot.