In a resounding tribute to emerging talent, legendary writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar has bestowed high praise upon Agastya Nanda, the grandson of Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan, for his standout performance in the Netflix film The Archies.
Comparing Agastya to the iconic Rishi Kapoor, Javed expressed his unwavering admiration for the young actor’s breakout role.
Agastya made his silver screen debut in Zoya Akhtar’s modern adaptation of the beloved 90s comic series, embodying the role of Archie Andrews. Despite the film receiving mixed reviews, Javed Akhtar declared Agastya a breath of fresh air in the industry, predicting stardom for the budding actor.
In a candid moment, Javed shared,
I told Agastya’s mother (Shweta Bachchan Nanda), ‘Your son is going to be a star.’
Drawing parallels with Rishi Kapoor, Javed highlighted Agastya’s nuanced portrayal of Archie, navigating the character’s playboy tendencies and complex love dilemmas involving Betty and Veronica.
According to Javed, Agastya represents a rare talent in cinema, echoing the innocence and cluelessness of the hero archetype, reminiscent of Rishi Kapoor’s iconic performance in “Bobby” over half a century ago. Javed underscored Agastya’s role as a refreshing departure from the prevalent ‘macho, toxic’ hero archetype in contemporary cinema.
“The concept of the hero so far has been of the toxic, macho man. Here is an unpretentious and masoom hero. Audiences have not seen a hero like Agastya since Rishi Kapoor in Bobby,” remarked Javed, predicting broad appeal, especially among young audiences.
The Archies also features Suhana Khan, daughter of Shah Rukh Khan, and Khushi Kapoor, daughter of the late Sridevi, offering a contemporary twist to the beloved comic series. The film promises to introduce a new generation to the charm of Archie and his friends.
