Zoya Akhtar Becomes First Indian Filmmaker To Feature On The Daily Show, Opens Up On The Archies

Zoya Akhtar brings the world of Archies to India with a focus on inclusivity

In a recent interview on The Daily Show, acclaimed director Zoya Akhtar shared insights about her exciting new project, The Archies, coming to Netflix. The conversation delved into her reasons for bringing the iconic Archies universe to Indian audiences, highlighting the importance of inclusivity in the world of filmmaking.

Zoya reminisced about the connection between the American-based Archies comics and their impact on Indian urban kids during the 1980s. Recalling her own childhood, she spoke about the limited access to cultural experiences at that time. Despite these limitations, Archies comics became a unifying experience for many, offering a glimpse into the captivating teenage life in the fictional town of Riverdale. As Zoya said, “It’s crazy that something so fundamentally American was also fundamentally a part of an Indian urban kid’s childhood. Archies was one of the few things that everybody read, and it was a portal to this country.”

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Further explaining her decision to adapt The Archies for a global audience, Zoya emphasized the nostalgic appeal of the comics and the desire for a return to a simpler time. She expressed her appreciation for Netflix’s initiative to showcase Indian cinema on a global platform, making The Archies a project she couldn’t resist. “I just couldn’t say no,” Zoya admitted. “It also felt like a chance to go back to a time when things were simpler and less complicated.”

During the interview, Kal Penn, the renowned actor and comedian, was particularly impressed by Zoya’s intention to incorporate the LGBTQIA+ community into the narrative of The Archies. Zoya acknowledged India’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community and the positive changes that have occurred since the decriminalization of homosexuality in 2018. She emphasized the ever-evolving nature of society and the critical role that storytelling and filmmaking play in fostering understanding and empathy.

Through her work on The Archies, Zoya Akhtar is not only bringing a beloved comic book series to life for Indian audiences but also doing so in a way that promotes inclusivity and representation. This commitment to diversity and social responsibility promises to make The Archies a truly special and impactful project.

“In 2018, homosexuality was decriminalised. There’s been so much change, and real positive change with that. And it’s going to keep evolving. And part of that evolution is storytelling and filmmaking, and somewhere I feel it’s not just like we’re representing something, but you’re literally taking someone and putting them in someone else’s shoes. You’re humanizing the other,” Zoya shared.

Expressing her gratitude for a being part of the film fraternity and being an able individual with the power of story telling, Archies contributes to positive change, Zoya shared, “I think I’m lucky to be a part of a community that can affect some kind of evolution or change and represent and be there and say how I feel.”