How Zoya Akhtar put Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya Nanda through a boot camp for The Archies: ‘It was endless’

Revealing how she prepared the seven debutants, Suhana, Khushi, Agastya, Mihir Ahuja, Vedang Raina, Aditi Saigal, and Yuvraj Menda, Akhtar added she wanted to instil a level of ‘confidence and ease’ in her actors before they faced the camera.

Watch | The trailer of The Acrchies featuring Suhana, Khushi and Agastya

“That only comes if they were prepared and they’re not so nervous. So, there was a big boot camp, they had dance class, acting workshops, and cinematography training because it’s a technical job as well, they had to learn cycling and skating. It was endless and they did well,” shared the filmmaker.

Though handling their rawness was a challenge for Akhtar, the ‘beauty’ of working with the newcomers was that she relived her debut through them. “I got to somehow vicariously relive my debut because everything for them was a first, that wide-eyedness, which I had almost forgotten, was a very refreshing experience for me,” said Akhtar.

Just like their on-screen camaraderie, the cast members of The Archies share a strong bond off-screen as well, and Akhtar wishes that their bond stays like this forever. She said, “They just stick together all the time, they hype each other a lot and I hope it stays. They have been good with each other, they have played off each other and that energy comes through.”

The Archies will stream on Netflix.

Scheduled to premiere on Netflix on December 7, The Archies. as per the makers, explores friendship, freedom, love, heartbreak and rebellion through the lives of Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, Reggie, Ethel and Dilton. It will take audiences to the fictional hilly town of Riverdale.