Zoya Akhtar breaks silence on Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Agastya being bullied for The Archies: ‘Audience is harsh with certain newcomers’

With the advent and abundance of the internet, the rise in the number of trolls and online bullies has only increased—a fact. But another fact is that film stars and anyone associated with tinsel town are the easiest targets. In December 2023, Netflix finally released its much-anticipated Zoya Akhtar directorial, The Archies. Adapting a beloved Western comic into the Indian milieu is indeed a massive task. For this, Akhtar cast Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter Suhana Khan, Sridevi’s daughter Khushi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda, and an ensemble cast. However, upon release, the film found itself at the center of a storm, as it was trolled and criticized for weak acting performances. Zoya has now responded to the backlash.

Zoya Akhtar Reacts to The Archies Cast Being Bullied Online

The Archies was released on Netflix on December 7, 2023, and was met with harsh reviews from critics and even worse reception from netizens. The film became the talk of the town, but for all the wrong reasons. In her latest conversation on Komal Nahta's Game Changers podcast, Zoya Akhtar addressed the backlash directed at Khushi Kapoor, Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda, and the rest of the team. She took full responsibility and pointed out that certain newcomers face harsher criticism than others. 

When asked whether the audience is particularly tough on newcomers, Zoya responded, "I think the audience is harsh with certain newcomers, not with all newcomers." She expressed her sympathy for the actors, emphasizing that she was the one who cast them, workshopped them, and directed their performances. She strongly disapproved of the bullying they endured and took accountability for their portrayal.

Also Read: The Archies review: Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor's film is a love letter to the '60s but a breakup note to expectations

"I felt bad when this happened because they listened to me. I auditioned them, I picked them, gave them roles, and they said yes. I workshopped them, shot them, and I okayed the take. So it's me. They did what I asked them to do. I didn’t like the fact that they were almost being bullied. It wasn't nice. It’s my responsibility," she added.

Meanwhile, in a recent interview with Indian Express, Khushi Kapoor also addressed the criticism following The Archies’ release. She acknowledged that marketing could have made it clearer that the film was intended for a younger audience. "Probably… marketing-wise, it had to be made clear that the film is catering to a younger audience. I don’t want to particularly change anything, and even I believe the film was for a really young audience. In fact, the people who enjoyed it the most were the ones who were below the age of 16. Plus, I feel like everything doesn’t have to be made for everyone," she stated.

The Archies also starred Mihir Ahuja, Dot, Vedang Raina, and Yuvraj Menda. Stay tuned to OTTplay for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

Also Read: The Archies - American comics' Indian adaptation gets favourable reviews from foreign critics for its “fresh take” and “peppy songs”