An Analysis of Zoya Akhtar's New Netflix Movie Trailer Adaptation of Archie Comics

I think the problem with Zoya Akhtar is that she wants to create something cool that#8217;s not your typical Bollywood movie. While she is to be commended for attempting to do something new, in my opinion, the trailer would be too eye-catching and out of place.

According to a person who commented, there are Bollywood kids whose entire lives have been between New York, Delhi, and London, who fantasize about such things. However, Archie comics or its adaptation do not suit India for several reasons: First, it is based on the fashion of the 1970s, a time when Indians were still wearing traditional attire like dhotis and saris. Second, in the past, Indian society was very innocent; people, especially from conservative backgrounds, were not exposed to the controversies and crimes that often accompany such tales. Third, Archie comics were created during a period of significant cultural and social change in the United States, including the sexual revolution, the hippie movement, and an overall affluent society. In the 1970s, India was vastly different, both culturally and economically.

Additionally, the nerd-jock dynamic that is prominent in Archie comics is non-existent in India. In the Indian context, if someone is smart or nerdy, they would not be perceived as a jock; in fact, they might be seen as socially awkward or quirky. Therefore, this scenario looks out of place in an Indian setting.

For instance, consider the movie that stars Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai, which is a bad copy of an 80s Hollywood movie. The adaptation of Archie comics, in my view, is an attempt to appeal to a crowd that prefers Hollywood, K-dramas, or European films, not Indian cinema.

As a positive support, it may still work if they adapt each character to be as innocent as possible, given how different the original characters and their lifestyles are from the Indian milieu. However, it would be more appropriate and authentic if Zoya Akhtar had created something that better aligns with the lives of Indian young, rich, urban, and good-looking individuals, focusing on their unique challenges and dynamics. This approach would be more genuine and appealing to the Indian youth she is trying to attract.

It is not the first time that someone has envisioned a teen drama with an Indian touch. Rockford, for instance, a mid-1990s MTV series, involves kissing between 13-14-15-year-old Indian boys and girls and was considered R-rated. This was filmed in a real convent school, providing a very innocent portrayal of adolescence. However, the poster for the same adaptation seems more like an orgiastic scene, which is misleading and off-putting.

In summary, the adaptation of Archie comics into a Bollywood movie is a bold move, but it would be more successful if it drew more from the unique experiences of Indian young adults, focusing on their quirks, humor, and innocence. Zoya Akhtar could explore these themes to create an authentic and engaging storyline that resonates with her target audience.