Zoya Akhtar’s much-anticipated directorial debut, “The Archies,” featuring star kids Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda, and Khushi Kapoor, has recently hit the OTT platforms, sparking a wave of diverse reviews from both audiences and critics.
The teen musical drama, introducing the next generation of Bollywood, has become a subject of debate as social media buzzes with criticism for the acting skills of the three star kids. Notably, Suhana Khan is the daughter of Bollywood power couple Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, Agastya Nanda is the grandson of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, and son of Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Nikhil Nanda, while Khushi Kapoor is the daughter of the late Sridevi and Boney Kapoor.
In the wake of the film’s release, a controversy emerged when actress Raveena Tandon faced backlash for allegedly endorsing a post that criticized a scene featuring Agastya Nanda and Khushi Kapoor. The post, with a caption reading ‘Acting died here,’ caught the attention of netizens who questioned Tandon’s stance on the star kids’ performances.
Quick to respond, Raveena Tandon took to Twitter to clarify the situation, attributing the like to an accidental touch while scrolling through Instagram posts. She expressed regret and apologized for any unintended hurt caused by the incident.
“Touch buttons and social media. A genuine mistake has been blown out of proportion. The like was made in error, and something that I was not even aware of that had been pressed by scrolling. I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience and hurt this may have caused,” Tandon stated in her note.
“The Archies,” described as a coming-of-age musical, explores the lives of iconic characters Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, Reggie, Ethel, and Dilton in the fictional hilly town of Riverdale. The film delves into themes of friendship, freedom, love, heartbreak, and rebellion, starring Aditi Saigal (aka Dot), Mihir Ahuja, Vedang Raina, and Yuvraj Menda alongside the star kids.
As the debate around the film’s reception continues, “The Archies” stands as a unique portrayal of the next generation of Bollywood talents and their foray into the film industry.
