Moved to Northern India in 1964, the comic-book portrayal of class struggle is accompanied by romance and impressive choreography.
One could adopt a cynical perspective and view the transposition of the Riverdale narrative universe into an Indian setting as yet another instance of brand colonialism, homogenizing youth culture globally with pervasive doses of intellectual property. Alternatively, one could simply relax and enjoy the vibrant and exceptionally well-choreographed cast dancing to the irresistibly catchy songs. Amid the groovy tunes, it’s worth recognizing that the filmmakers subtly inject subversive thoughts, as seen in the song “Everything Is Politics,” challenging the notion, in line with Marxist philosopher Louis Althusser, that there is no position outside the ideological apparatus. This dualism adds an intriguing layer to this goofy musical – a guilt-free pleasure that’s simultaneously delightfully corny and absurd.
Similar to the American Archie comics that serve as its inspiration, the story unfolds in a fictional town named Riverdale. However, this Riverdale was established in northern India by Anglo-Indians, as detailed in an opening animated sequence. Post-independence, the residents of Riverdale planted trees in their children’s names, creating the municipal space Green Park to commemorate freedom and optimism. In the film’s 1964 setting, the now-teenage kids embrace rock’n’roll, miniskirts, and dreams of studying abroad, blissfully unaware of less savory changes unfolding. Local oligarch Mr. Lodge (Alyy Khan), father of high-school rich girl Veronica (Suhana Khan), intends to develop Green Park and erect a grand hotel in its midst.
The repercussions of this decision impact residents in various ways. For instance, a landlord chooses to shutter the bookshop managed by Hal (Satyajit Sharma), the father of Veronica’s best friend Betty (Khushi Kapoor), forcing Hal out of a job unless he opts for a position with a more profit-driven book chain. Meanwhile, teenage heartthrob Archie Andrews (Agastya Nanda), evidently grappling with a future sex and love addiction, believes his greatest dilemma revolves around choosing between Veronica and Betty. The songs emphasizing that “Everything Is Politics” enlighten him on that matter, but the kids still need to amass enough signatures to challenge the city council’s decision allowing the rezoning of Green Park.
While this plot summary may evoke comparisons to an episode of the darker, North American-set Archie-spinoff TV series Riverdale, all the aforementioned unfolds in a place distinctly recognizable as a version of rural India from the era. The characters speak a blend of Hindi and English, older women don saris, and Bollywood takes center stage in the dance numbers, even when everyone is sporting rollerskates. The whole spectacle is quite peculiar but somehow effective, thanks to the brisk editing pace and the directorial joie de vivre injected into the proceedings by Zoya Akhtar.
“The Archies” is set to be released on December 7 on Netflix.
