Zoya Akhtar says certain things about the 'screenplay and marketing' of 'The Archies' could have been done differently

Zoya Akhtar recently opened up about her directorial venture, 'The Archies,' discussing aspects of the film she might have approached differently. Released in 2023, 'The Archies' marked the debut of several young actors, including Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Vedang Raina, and Agastya Nanda. Despite high expectations, some viewers expressed dissatisfaction with the performances of these debutantes.

In her interview with Indian Express, Zoya shared her reflections on the film. During a rapid-fire segment, she was asked whether she would change anything about 'The Archies.' She admitted that there were elements of both the screenplay and the marketing that she would reconsider. Although she hesitated to detail specific changes regarding the screenplay, she acknowledged that there were areas she could have improved.

The film's casting, particularly the choice of star kids, sparked considerable debate online before its release. In a prior discussion with Film Companion, Zoya defended her casting decisions, emphasizing that she felt no pressure to cast any specific individuals. She chose the actors she believed best suited the roles, despite the controversy surrounding the selection.

Zoya also expressed disappointment over how the attention was disproportionately focused on just three of the seven actors featured in the film's promotional material. She noted that this oversight overshadowed the other debutantes, affecting their moment in the spotlight. “You robbed their moment, and it’s heartbreaking to see,” she remarked.





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