The Archies’ first reviews are in: Karan Johar says ‘new kids on the block are fantastic’, Subhash Ghai praises Zoya Akhtar

Ahead of its grand premiere on Netflix on December 7, Zoya Akhtar’s The Archies was screened to a full house of Bollywood celebrities on Tuesday. Among those who watched the film, was filmmaker Subhash Ghai and actor Dia Mirza, who were floored by it, and shared their review of The Archies on social media. Videos from the screening also see the young cast — Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, Dot., Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja and Yuvraj Menda getting a standing ovation.

Filmmaker Subhash Ghai took to X (formerly Twitter) and praised Zoya for ‘surprising’ him with her ‘amazing’ film. Ghai posted on X, “I love d director #ZOYA AKHTAR who loves to give surprises by her every new amazing film . I attended premier of #ARCHIE N She displays her musical dynamics wonderfully-A broadway style with real life performances from stars kids n new talent so beautifully. blessings❤️.”

The Archies is based on the popular Archies Comics and is set in the 1960s and in a fictional Indian town, Riverdale. It follows the story of seven friends Archie (Agastya Nanda), Betty (Khushi Kapoor), Veronica (Suhana Khan), Jughead (Mihir Ahuja), Reggie (Vedang Raina), Ethel (Dot) and Dilton (Yuvraj Menda). The film is written by Reema Kagti, Zoya and Ayesha Devitre.

Karan Johar also reviewed The Archies as he watched the film on Tuesday. Sharing his views on Instagram, the filmmaker wrote, “#thearchies has been watched!!! A town of Anglo Indians called RIVERDALE! The year is 1964..And straight from the credit roll you’re sucked right into @zoieakhtar’s world and with her impeccable craft and command she makes sure you’re hooked! The production design, the cinematography, the choreography, the costume design will blow your mind with its on fleek detailing and aesthetic victories! Zoya and Reema not only speak of friendship and the traumas of genZ love but also of what a teenage mind can feel when they combat their sexual orientation and fear judgement (watch out for this tender moment my favourite scene in the film) …but very subtly they adress climate change , voice of a minority and the need to uprise to injustice all this packaged to a zingy and zanny musical!!”

The filmmaker added that he felt “young” after watching the movie and wanted to befriend its seven central characters. He also showered praise on the newcomers as he wrote, “The new kids on the block are fantastic… Agastya Nanda (get onto Insta baby) is fantastic! He makes a complicated and sometimes unlikeable character so lovable! He had me at hello!!! @mihirahuja_ is Brilliant he has impeccable comic timing and yet scores in very emotional beat! I loved @dotandthesyllables she is like sunshine through and through @khushi05k as Betty broke my heart in the most beautiful way! Watch out for her silent moments … and her compassionate eyes! A heartbreaker in every way !!!! Loved her! @suhanakhan2 as VERONICA is coquettish, vulnerable and sassy! All this with the ease of a veteran! Watch her moves and grooves and that sass hits its out of the green park! She’s here to stay and conquer! @yuvrajmenda is just so so good!!!!! He had me in tears in one scene and please note his “thank YOUU” is going viral very soon!!!! @vedangraina as REGGIE walks the talk! He oozes charm and confidence in equal measure and has that movie star swag!! Also dances with unabashed ease!”

He concluded, “Congratulations to @zoieakhtar and @reemakagti1 for making my evening so special! Nostalgia and a rocking musical! I am not complaining! Congratulations to Monika and team @netflix_in for executing such a brilliant and strategic campaign! Watch it asap!❤️”

Also read | Khushi Kapoor wears mother Sridevi’s dress for The Archies premiere, Janhvi Kapoor and Anshula cheer for her

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Dia Mirza, who was also present at the screening of The Archies wrote on Instagram, “Their voices are the sunbeans that bright light. Because you are never too young to make a difference. Loved Loved Loved this movie and can’t wait for you all to watch it.”

Janhvi Kapoor who was there at The Archies screening to support her younger sister Khushi Kapoor as she makes her Bollywood debut with the film, shared a picture of herself with Khushi. Along with it, Janhvi wrote, “The sunshine of my life and now sunshine in cinema. You are magical.” Rhea Kapoor also gave a shoutout to her cousin on social media.

Dia Mirza shared her review of The Archies.

Aaliyah Kashyap gave a shoutout to her best friend Khushi Kapoor.

Janhvi Kapoor is in awe of Khushi Kapoor.

A video from the screening, which took place at Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, surfaced on social media and showed the audience cheering the cast of the film after the film ended. The entire auditorium broke into a loud round of applause.

Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, before attending the screening of The Archies, had only ‘prayers’ and ‘wishes’ for his grandson Agastya Nanda, who essays the role of Archie in the film. He wrote on his blog, “it’s the 5th .. and it’s a Premiere of ‘The Archies’ .. and Agastya’s first venture .. and there is prayer and wish .. ❤️🌹.”

Shah Rukh Khan and family also became Suhana Khan’s cheerleaders at the screening of The Archies. Several photos from the same were posted by Netflix on Instagram with the caption, “One magical night, countless emotions.”

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Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Kajol, Juhi Chawla, Aditya Roy Kapur, Ananya Panday, Mona Singh, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, and Neetu Kapoor among others were also present at the star-studded evening.

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