Prolific writer-lyricist Javed Akhtar had high praises for Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan’s grandson Agastya Nanda, comparing him to the legendary Rishi Kapoor for his breakout role in the Netflix film The Archies.
Agastya made his debut in Zoya Akhtar’s Netflix film, portraying the iconic character of Archie Andrews in a modern adaptation of the beloved 90s comic series. Despite mixed reviews for the film, Javed Akhtar expressed unwavering admiration for Agastya’s performance.
In a candid moment, Javed lauded Agastya as a breath of fresh air in the Bollywood industry, stating,
I told Agastya’s mother (Shweta Bachchan Nanda), ‘Your son is going to be a star.’
Drawing a parallel with the late Rishi Kapoor, Javed emphasized Agastya’s nuanced portrayal of Archie, especially in handling the character’s playboy tendencies and intricate love dilemmas involving Betty and Veronica.
According to Javed, Agastya represents the most brilliant emerging talent in cinema since Rishi Kapoor over half a century ago. In an interview with Rediff, he noted that Agastya’s depiction of Archie provides a refreshing alternative to the prevalent ‘macho, toxic’ hero archetype in today’s cinema. Javed highlighted Agastya’s unique take on the hero, capturing the innocence and cluelessness of the character with finesse.
“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,” Javed remarked, emphasizing that Agastya’s performance will appeal to all youngsters, especially girls.
‘The Archies’ also features Suhana Khan, the daughter of Shah Rukh Khan, and Khushi Kapoor, the daughter of the late Sridevi. The film explores a contemporary rendition of the beloved comic series, bringing a fresh perspective to the iconic characters.
