Welcome to Riverdale, India — the setting may be a little different, but the milkshakes are just as tasty. In The Archies, director/producer Zoya Akhtar (Lust Stories) reimagines the classic Archie Comics, transposing the gang to an Anglo-Indian hill station (a high-elevation town overlooking a valley) in the year 1964. Or, as the teaser below puts it: the year of rock ’n’ roll, girls and boys, and much, much more. The first-ever Archie Comics film is now streaming on Netflix, so press play to join the social event of the Riverdale school year. 

What’s The Archies about?

Set in ’60s India in a fictional town called Riverdale, The Archies is a coming-of-age film following the lives of the town’s favorite set of teenagers — Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, Reggie, Ethel and Dilton. Seen through the lens of the unique Anglo-Indian community, The Archies explores friendship, freedom, love, heartbreak and rebellion.

Just as their predecessors did (quintessential earworm “Sugar, Sugar” was recorded by the original Archies), these Archies will also make their mark in song. The cast even gave the Tudum audience a brief sample of one of their performances.  

Who’s in the cast of The Archies?
 

Agastya Nanda as Archie Andrews

Riverdale’s teenage Casanova, Archie Andrews is charming and endearing. He has a passion for music and enjoys playing with his band The Archies. Though selfless and loyal, he’s torn between his feelings for Betty and Veronica. He also wears his heart on his sleeve — something that tends to get him into trouble often.

Khushi Kapoor as Betty Cooper

Betty Cooper is the adorable girl-next-door. She’s determined, kind, and can do anything she wants — except get Archie for herself. Betty loves to journal, work at her dad’s bookstore, and help her mom with baking. She can find the good in anyone, which makes her the most reliable and lovable friend of all.

Suhana Khan as Veronica Lodge

The richest girl in town, Veronica Lodge knows what she wants and won’t let anyone walk over her. Ronnie is trendy, sassy, and the boys love her. She has a rare kind of confidence that makes her stand out in Riverdale’s old-world charm. Her mansion is second only to the size of her heart; generous to a fault, she loves her friends dearly and is the closest to Betty.

Vedang Raina as Reggie Mantle

He’s good looking and he knows it. Reggie is the wisecracking jokester of the gang. Self-absorbed, quick-witted, and secretly sensitive, he doesn’t always reveal his feelings publicly. He has a secret crush on Veronica but that doesn’t stop him from dating the rest of the girls in Riverdale. No one could love Reg as much as he loves himself!

Mihir Ahuja as Jughead Jones

A foodie best recognized by his insatiable appetite and interesting choice of headwear, Jughead is Archie’s best pal. But unlike his easygoing friend, he’s terrified of girls. Surprisingly sharp and witty, he prefers to march to his own beat. When he’s not behind the drums for The Archies, Jughead works at Pop Tate’s, Riverdale’s favorite local diner, often eating more than he serves.

Dot as Ethel Muggs

Underrated and eccentric, Ethel Muggs is Riverdale’s most up-and-coming hairstylist. She loves her job and has ambitions of a bright future. Known for her sweet demeanor, Ethel is a loyal and solid friend. With a publicly known soft spot for Jughead, she shares all her food with him to win his heart.

Yuvraj Menda as Dilton Doiley

The brilliant Dilton Doiley is the smartest and most fashionable teenager in Riverdale. Dilton can always be found studying a new subject or working on an invention in his room and is constantly schooling the gang with his cleverness. But behind that breezy exterior, Dilton has a secret that no one knows about and struggles to come to terms with it.

When’s the release date for The Archies?

The Archies is now streaming on Netflix.

The Cast of The Archies Perform at Tudum the Event 2023