Zoya Akhtar & Reema Kagti Exclusive Interview with Anupama Chopra | The Archies | Film Companion
Vložit
- čas přidán 30. 05. 2024
- Ahead of the release of The Archies, Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti speak with Anupama Chopra about the making of a unique adaptation of the Archie comics set in India, why they used a fictional Anglo-Indian community, and how the Archies is a visual comic book. They also discuss the decision-making process behind casting Agastya Nanda, Khushi Kapoor, Suhana Khan, Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Aditi Dot, and Yuvraj Menda, working with a new team of writers, and the challenges and excitement of working with a cast of newcomers.
#zoyaakhtar #archies #filmcompanion
Have you subscribed to Film Companion yet? Join us here -
bit.ly/FCsubscribe
Follow Us On:
/ filmcompanion
/ filmcompanion
/ filmcompanion
0:00 - Zoya Akhtar & Reema Kagti on The Archies
0:26 - Into the world of The Archies
1:10 - Why Zoya & Reema chose to adapt The Archies for India
2:45 - “The Archies is a story come to life”
5:11 - The change in the writing dynamics
7:11 - The Archies in Hinglish
9:20 - Did nepotism play a role in casting?
11:49 - Workshopping with the “new kids” on the block
15:47 - “We want to make films for the world!”
About The Channel:
The Film Companion is a web channel intended to promote Indian cinema through films review, interviews, discussions, video essays, and analytical compilations. It is intended primarily for the purpose of encouraging informed discussions, criticism, and review of cinema and towards such purpose, the programs use short extracts of cinematograph films, sound recording, and photographic works. These clips and extracts are of a minimal nature and the use is not intended to interfere in any manner with their commercial exploitation of the complete work by the owners of the copyright. The use of works is in compliance with the fair dealing exception provided under Sec. 52 of the Copyright Act, and we assert our use of the works under the exception provided for criticism and review. - Zábava
Zoya takes up all the questions thinking its her personal interview.
Reema waits patiently for Zoya to finish…… minding the basic manners.
The moment Reema starts; Zoya jumps in and takes over conversation.
If reema adds in then zoya always wants to have last word.
She is not a ‘Prop’! Come On!
Let’s appreciate her patience 💕
Can we have a solo chat, interview with her
Excellent comment
True, It is so rude to not allow the other person to talk
Why aren’t they letting Reema talk :(
Reema Kagti was called only to sip coffee.
Reema Kagti is willing to give credits where it is due. Zoya Akhtar doesn't seem to be keen on giving others credit. !! I am glad that Ms Anupama Chopra asked loaded questions.
What’s the point of inviting Reema Kagti when you don’t bother to talk to her ?
I want to watch a Solo interview with Reema Kagti.
I am sure that if it would have been a man in zoya akhtar's place we would used the term mansplaining. At times it is just professional and polite to let the other person talk.
I, personally, would have loved to hear her (reema kagti's) take on the questions.
Oh my god. Same. Please let her speak. This wasn’t expected from to see this coming from these sensibility.
A very disappointing interview, I don't think I was convinced with their answers and I do not know why invite Reema if you are not going to ask her any questions.
Check the controversy that happened on the made in heaven stories.. Since Reema told the truth that someone else wrote the story, zoya got extremely defensive and just didn't let her speak after that
I don't care who u guys cast but don't give me this "oh but these're the BEST actors we could find for playing these roles BS!" Just stop pushing them under our throats. Respect ur audience nd don't take them for granted.
Zoya we agree on this project your production or your baby , but please allow Reema Kagti to speak. There is something called freedom of speech, which is not seen here.
Zoya you came across as very dominating here, I hope that is not the case in general.
Lots of love to Reema Kagti for being calm and polite.
Poor reema! She hardly was asked anything ! Just kept sipping her drink throughout 😂😂😂
LOL…. She could have casted anybody and still went for the star kids , gave them main character and then blaming the media for not noticing the other. By the way ppl did notice Vedang!
Request for a Solo interview of Reema mam @filmcompanion
Reema is willing to give credits where it is due. Kudos to her. Solo interview ? Yes of course.
First time i am disappointed by Zoya's response, its fine to cast who you want, and they might be talented as well, but stating they were best of general auditions....really she expects to believe that!
you have to take her word for it. she said the auditions were open for all, and these are the best that came through.
@@risg4me they had the most backing by the PR and their illustrious families. Among them obviously Suhana is going to promoted as the next big thing. No charisma beauty or grace but papa has lot of money to buy media and do corporate bookings
@@Besties591 omg calm down bestie 😅 suhana is a beautiful young girl and so is khushi, what are you talking about? No one is promoting anyone as "the next best thing". The audience will decide who is the next best thing, just like they did with Alia. These star kids did a movie, and they are only promoting the movie. of course, SRK is going to promote his daughter. Everyone wants the best for their children. I don't think SRK needs to buy any media. Everyone is lining up to do an interview with suhana anyways, she did nothing and she is still famous. Thanks to her father.
@@risg4me😅
I am lawyer by trade, so is my father and so was his father before him. When I was trying to start the process, my dad and his friends connected me with the right people and got my foot in the door. Then I slogged my ass for 10 years, to be where I am today. It works like that in every single field, why do you think it won't be like that in the movie making business?
I don't understand why people are so emotional about the movie business, why do you care if she had an open audition and chose the best actors out of that or not?
Don't act like that you are feeling sorry for other 4 actors, you specifically casted 3 star kids so that there is a hype around the film.I understand that films are a business and star kids are good for business so own it .Problem is not casting the star kids but not owning and accepting it that its a business decision and not a creative one.
Bollywood make below average movies
Reema should have spoken more. Zoya should stop giving "non-answers" and cutting Reema everytime a word comes out of her mouth. The vibe wasn't really great!!!!
True! It’s a story book come to life, only without the story.
Of course u had non star kids but did u gave them the lead roles NO 😂 the cream roles are given to star kids so stop thinking that public is a fool
Bollywood is cheesy and melodramatic
Do not lie plz, why in other interview you mentioned Archie was last person to cast? Because Ibrahim Ali Khan opted out? Why main 3 characters in the comic have star kids others are outsiders? Why vavavroom song only has these 3? When it releases we all will know the Intension
Did she actually mean that these are the only 17 or 19 years olds who came for auditions? Did you advertise the audition in public platform or on a WhatsApp chat ? C'mon!!! Don't tell me no other struggling actor is between 17 to 21 in India right now.
I wanted to hear Reema, please let her talk!
Zoya is such a dominant disappointment . Doesn’t she have basic etiquette to let others speak too? Reema is really patient and articulated. We want to hear her .. may be a separate interview will give her more space to talk freely 😂😂😂😂😂
sounds like these 2 did not do much but are trying to defend it - but zoya's ego won't let go!
Our Indian population doesn't seems to grasp simple economics. Moviemaking is a business and the "star kids" are good for business. Look at the hype media has created around the 3 star kids which is going to lead to more eyeballs for Netflix. It's pretty simple, YOU have asked the film makers to put the star kids on those posters. Also, if you don't like them, they are going to cast aside pretty soon. For every Ananya or Alia or Varun, there is a Fardeen and Sohail and Zayed in the business as well.
The “media” has created the hype for the star kids because of the money they get from their uber-rich parents who have disproportionate and direct control over entertainment journalism in India. If we don’t like them, they would not be cast aside pretty soon - case in point Arjun Kapoor. He has had 9 repeated flops and he still has movies with some of the biggest directors in his kitty. They’ll shove them down our throats until we are gaslighted into thinking that they are “not that bad” (which is what happens when you shut down doors for actually talented people), or we just shrug and move on. You seem to assume that the Bollywood audience has more influence on the business than they actually do when that’s not the case at all
What makes you think that media hype is generic? Not created by PR agencies
@@mainshaayartonahi27 vo sab to thik h but bollywood ne aaj tak kya banya h 😂 muskil se muskil
itni rich history h hamri aaj tak ak acha historical movie bhi banaya h
@@slayer_142 Jab Shahrukh ne Asoka banayi to tum dekhne gaye the kya? Ab log wahi ghisi piti nautankiya action aur romance dekhna chahe to bechare Bollywood wale kya kare?
@@mainshaayartonahi27 tu pagal h? ak 22 saal purani movie ka example kyu de raha h bhut log us time 5-6 saal k bache the
most social media users 18-25 age group vale h
Zoya didn't let Reema speak
Why is Zoya Akhtar cutting Reema off? Unlike Zoya, who bores with her rehearsed speech and cliches, Reema's manner and way of speaking sounds far more natural and authentic.
Reema : so this is what we did
Zoya : No we didn’t
I have always liked and appreciated how Zoya Akhtar managed to build a space for her kind of cinema and be successful with it over the years. But what has she become. She’s shutting down Reema Kagti, who’s been her long time collaborator and partner only because she chose to give credit where it’s due. Zoya doesn’t want to say there was another writer involved at all. First she said when we were approached with the story, she forgets this when she says it is our story, we wrote it. Come on!
Zoya Akhtar is clearly disappointed and very grumpy in this interview. Misunderstandings with Anupama perhaps?
I actually did not notice her being grumpy. Maybe you are bitter.
@@val-schaeffer1117 You are wrong. I am not bitter. I am very bitter. But I did notice the grumpiness. Hehe :D
The way Zoya cut Reema when Anupama asked them about the dynamic with third writer haha@@yasha.hisaria3143
@@Rpp92898 I don't like bollywood because of melodrama and unnecessary nach gana
Anyone else think this video has been uploaded in a RAW format? No color grade?
Do Reema and Zoya not communicate??
How do they work together when both are living different realities 😅
Right?! 7 people? what a lie! Archies is about Archies, Betty n Veronica which are played by star kids. Others are side roles!
4 non star kids were not in main roles. So chill
Can we have one interview with Reema alone pls ?
She can cast whoever she wants, it's her movie right? Just like we can watch whatever we want. You have got problem with star kids then stop watching their movies & go to theatres to support movies like 12th fail. But you wouldn't do that & give random gyan on social media
Bollywood biggest problem is actor worship and melodrama
@@slayer_142 that's our problem
17:30 mins - yes yes let's give a chance to 'young people who have something to say'...wonder what that 'something' would be - oh I know 'hi I've something to say - im amitabh bachchan's grandson, srk's daughter, boney kapoor's daughter'
The Archies has taken roughly 3-3.5 yrs time to finally come out on Netflix.
I believe they must have trained everyone involved in the film very well.
Trained is an understatement. They were chiselled, mentored, taken under their wings.
5:57 to 6, fact slipped. 😂
I want to hear Reema. This is ridiculous from Anupama Chopra If you can't give your equal space to your guest then you should only be doing SOLO interviews.
Why the blame on media focusing on this and that regarding star kids and non star kids. The star kids obviously don't need media to hype them up as if nobody knows who they are considering their parents also play a role in that. Says somebody who is close friends with the mothers. If abhishek and amitabh goes on an on about their family member but neglect other cast then it's not media hyping them up vs non star kids. There are 3 main characters that everyone knows and the first names that come on their tongue, so of course the 3 of them are given to star kids. End of discussion.
Why are non star kids not the main leads...its because we as auidence cannot connect....we are to blame for this situation ...if amitabh bachchan grandson is archie sharuk khans daughter is veronica and sridevi daughter is betty we can connect
Those three are playing the leads. So, yes, people are talking about the leads. Two of them are everywhere by the media. Don't put everything on the audience when your leads are who they are
Zoya needs to get down from her high seat and get two reality checks. One - let your friend Reema speak and speak the truth which you are so cleverly hiding.
Two - stop whining about media and public putting focus on star kids and overshadowing other cast. You knew whom you were casting, you knew how the cast will be seen before the movie releases and the hype and debate it will ensue. Stop putting the negativity on us and ask yourself what 'different' step you could have taken. Especially after 5 movies where most of your cast has been star kids or popular/bankable actors . Hrithik, Alia, and oh yes Farhan!!
Life is not fair, the sooner you understand this the further you go. Put your head down and do the work, you will get exactly where you need to be.
Thts so true
Facts ❤
Let Reema talk
Both guests just luk fab
I personally have no intention of watching this. Be it star kids or no star kids. But the explanation given by zoya was just non sense. Moreover I wish reema spoke more. She seems like someone who gives credit where it’s due but zoya just wants to shift limelight to herself . Ahhhh I had such high opinion of zoya a while ago .N it just started slipping after all the plagiarism incidents time n again. Give credit where it’s due. Come on !!! Dahaad was a good series. But made in heaven season 2 was soooo preachy n judgyyyyy.
Zoya should understand and let Reema also speak.Always interrupting her.
And pf course the main characters (Archie,Veronica,Betty)you give to star kids I mean what made you choose that then?
Zoya is right she has given chance 4 other guys as well who are not from film background why media is not giving them attention except for other three?
Those are side-characters. The main (Archie, Betty and Veronica) are all star kids (related to Bachchans, Kapoors/Sridevi and SRK respectively)
Because they are the supporting cast, the main lead were star kids. Who gives a damn about side characters in a trailer. And their aggressive PR, screen time they got, and va va voom song just has spot light on these 3.
Why only star kids playing Archie , betty and veronica, thats the problem.
Let Reema talk please ….. Zoya kept cutting her off so many times
Oh God ! Let Reema speak
If you two 're so accomplished (as you're only implying not me)what happened to giving yashica dutt her due credits for the stealing her story and making it your own (in MIH)
Don't really know what the fuss is about. It's a filmmaker's prerogative to choose actors for characters. Ultimately, no one would want their hard work to go down the drain because of poor casting. The audience doesn't really care. They just want a good movie. Ultimately, it comes down to business.
Bollywood is poor industry
Exactly
Oh please Zoya we’re not idiots
When Zoya is speaking, it should be her close-up
06:00 you can see Zoya getting Made in Heaven controversy flashbacks
Afternoon siesta! That’s so Pune😅
This really was one of the worst Film Companion interviews in a long while and I am a genuine fan. However, Zoya seems to be in some aggressive denial mode about this film and it rocked the interview on all sides. Reema wasn't given an opportunity to say much and every time she tried, Zoya spoke over her. Anupama is usually a good listener with probing questions but it felt like she had limited time and a fixed set of questions she wanted to cover and that results in continuous interruption. Guess it's just a bad day at the office for everyone. Had gotten used to move insightful interviews from all three of them and it was definitely a let down.
This Textbook unabashed willful pandering !!! This interview is a disservice to the “product” ..!!
You can see Zoya do this to Reema in all the interview. It’s really irritating
I think this interview needed a lot more time
Zoya is suffering from severe delulu
How ironic that zoya wants to widen the horizon of the scope and audience... But how narrow their casting is??? Couldn't see talent beyond their neighborhood
Littrally with a straight face she said 'we auditioned all and these were the best' lmao okay 👍
Lol.
😂
The biggest lie ever
When was Bollywood ever egalitarian? Why burst a vein? Watch it if you want...I nodded off twice during the movie...woke up to find I didn't miss much.
Oh god. The 3 star kids were cast as MAIN LEADS. Of course everyone including the media will hyper focus on them? such a delusional take honestly
:-/ she's just not letting Reema Kagti talk
why was this movie not made in hollywood with hollywood actors?
There was a movie called RIVERDALE which has all the characters in a modern Setting
Zoya you’ve made a boring movie which was a complete snooze fest and had nothing to do with Archies (my fave comics when growing up). It’s disappointing as I look forward to your movies
The worst casting and even worse is the way she is defending her stand. Your bubble will not just burst but your castle will crash for making a mockery of the classic comics .
This interview was very difficult to watch. Zoya just would not let Reema speak.
Thinking everyone is a fools - all other 4 kids comes from the business tycoons who funds the lavish lifestyle of bollywoodias
@10:30 Zoya is right it is media who highlights the starkids. It is actually true.
Hypocrisy of zoya akhtar is unfathomable
What a lovely couple.
🌈 ❤
Is reema and zoya a couple. ?
Let her speak baba
Why invite Reema when you don’t let her speak? Zoya Akhtar is so damn annoying!
I want to hear Reema speak.
Super🫡
7 kids on the poster with main leads being nepos 😂
Those 4 non star kids are not cast as Archie Betty and Veronica and PR hype for suhana is way more than for aghastya and kushi. Be ready for the next big thing suhana to be shoved down our throats like Alia Bhatt! PR and marketing is everything today as admitted by Kjo just make a flop movie and spread the word in the media it’s a masterpiece
Archie’s wouldn’t have got half the amount of attention had it not been for the starkids. So it was extremely good casting in my opinion
Id brought attention but negative..see amount of dislike on anything related to show
zoya akhtar is really Coming out as arrogant.
Anupama ma'am, I love your all interviews...
I can see that you are repeating your dress.
And your smile and laugh in infectious ❤
Why isn’t Zoya letting Reema talk?
Sadly, it's pretty default in their joint interviews.
She does not let any human talk 😂
I think because she said the other writer wrote the story 😂
Check the controversy that happened on the made in heaven stories.. Since Reema told the truth that someone else wrote the story, zoya got extremely defensive
Sounds lame to me, to suck up to white skin, and then look for some kind of authenticity in India!
Ugh.
Somehow sounds very "Bollywood" , casting included.
The amount of workshops that was wheeled off by Zoya was another way of saying these “actors” did not go to film school or have any acting pedigree but hey we selected them purely on merit because we got floored about what they brought to the table!! But since their audience already has a Netflix subscription there is no incentive besides clicking play on the content …if this was theatrical the overt show of elitism will have been willfully turned/toned down!! Rs.199 a month vs Rs.500 a ticket
Bang on! Very well said.
@@pamg2628 atlee and srk both are self made star but still jawan is just like loud typical 90s movie
Suhana nd khushi stuudied at NYFA but yeah im not defending them
The last time I checked film schools don't teach how to roller skate, how to do ballroom dancing and more such stuff! Every sensible filmmaker always does workshops so that the actors can get into the skin of the character they are playing. So saying that workshops were needed coz the lead cast has never ever been to a film school is poor choice of words considering the fact that Zoya has alway done workshops before she begins to shoot a movie! I have seen most of her interviews and she has always explicitly talked about the fact that she loves to be 100% prepared before she ventures to shoot a film and therefore she does workshops with her actors.
@@seemonjena659 ahem: workshops (that were referenced) to learn to "to catch a light", "hit a mark" .. if 101 / basic / pre-reqs are to be "installed" via workshops then maybe..just maybe.. learning on the job is a white glove privilege .. its great to have access to such resources available at arms length to ensure the on-screen talent that were selected solely on the merit of their excellent audition of being amazing actors get an opportunity to fine tune the bare basics !! to some evian water is bare necessities to some its just naive spelled backwards..!!
If you have success watever shit you talk 😂 sounds ohhh wow is it 😂😂😂
Couples therapy?
lol
They need to come up with a better argument or at least act less outraged when they are accused of giving key roles to star-kids. firstly, the 3 major roles - Archie, Veronica and Betty are all played by star kids. Noone is taliking about the casting of reggie, jughead, ethel and dilton as they are much smaller roles. further, its a movie and not a tv show - so they wont have as much screentime.
Secondly, who's gonna believe the claim that hundreds auditioned for a zoya akhtar mvie and coincidentally, the most suitable ppl for the roles were srk's daughter, amitabh's grandson and sridevi's daughter? I think the same audition process was also used to decide BCCI's secretary.
incidentally zoya akthar was the genius who claimed that ranveer singh's dark complexion in gully boy was not makeup (brownface), but in fact - a tan from his time in Goa.
Zoya is overpowering Reema here. Completing her sentences. Not letting her speak and not letting her finish sentences. That's sad.
All Reema was able to do here without Zoya's interference, is sipping her coffee.
😂
December 7th❤
Archies is a Stupid movie
Bad interview
lie
All of you who are Zoya bashing right now will be first in line to buy the tickets. I know, I know its releasing on Netflix , but I am sure you get the point. This movie is for the privileged, by the privileged and of the privileged. So why make such hulla gulla. Just Netflix and chill
Unfortunately, there isn’t many new movies being released. And because it’s at home, people end up watching it. That is no parameter to judge if the movie is good or not. Netflix was one platform because of which all new artists started getting recognition because you had to make good stuff with people who can act and not necessarily with famous people. And the audience have shown them that they were always ready for good stuff, just not enough was being made.
Audience have right to criticize or appreciate what they see. Not sure how your comment has any relevance.
Don't like to see Zoya talking all the time and not letting Reema speak.😑
I will wait for the Wikipedia plot detailing every story of this film…As simple as that!!
The amount of explaining Zoya has to do is ridiculous.
But the star kids are the ones playing the main lead, hard to overlook that coincidence
Im afraid I don't quite agree with Ms Akhtar when she says that the public chose to put the spotlight on the three star kids and not the others. I mean we did, of course, but it sounds naive to have not known that that was going to happen? Starkids attract eyeballs and curiosity. Full stop. No matter how much of a level playing field you give them all, the moment you cast four unknowns alongside three bright young things with famous surnames, the three are going to cast a shadow on the four others. She could cast whoever she wants of course but not having anticipated this shows a basic lack of understanding of how human beings think and behave and it's surprising to see such a blindspot in a woman as intelligent and erudite as Ms Akhtar.
💯 media and audience will only go after the starkids so it has nothing to do with her close friendships with actors mothers. Does she seriously think people believe her, she's ridiculous