Director Zoya Akhtar, known for her remarkable storytelling, has shared her thoughts on casting star kids in her upcoming project, The Archies. The series marks the acting debut of Suhana Khan (Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter), Khushi Kapoor (daughter of Boney Kapoor and the late Sridevi), and Agastya Nanda (grandson of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan). Zoya candidly spoke about the initial hesitation she felt when considering celebrity children for the roles.
Zoya Akhtar on Casting Star Kids:
Zoya admitted that the thought of casting star kids did cross her mind, but she quickly put those concerns aside. Speaking to India Today, she explained, “It did cross my mind, but then I decided not to overthink it. They were the best fit for the roles, and if they were meant to do something, they would do it. If the audience appreciates their work, they’ll love it. After seeing their auditions, it became clear that they were the right choice. It would have been strange not to cast them. It’s just as odd to dismiss someone because their parents are famous as it is to cast them only because of their family background. You have to go with merit, and these three were the best for the roles.”
Zoya Akhtar Talks About the Pressure of Expectations:
When asked about the pressure to meet expectations, especially given the star-studded debutants, Zoya responded, “You can’t control how people will react. Some will like it, some won’t, and others have already decided they will love it. All you can do is focus on what you’re doing and make it the best it can be. If your film has honesty, people will find reasons to connect with it.”
About ‘The Archies’:
The Archies, which is set to release on Netflix on December 7, reimagines the classic Archie Comics in a 1960s Indian setting. The series follows Archie (Agastya Nanda), Betty (Khushi Kapoor), Veronica (Suhana Khan), Jughead (Mihir Ahuja), Reggie (Vedang Raina), Ethel (Dot), and Dilton (Yuvraj Menda) as they navigate friendships and romance while standing up to developers threatening to destroy their beloved park in Riverdale.
