The casting director for Zoya Akhtar’s film “The Archies,” Karan Mally, recently shed light on the audition process, confirming that star kids Suhana Khan, Agastya Nanda, and Khushi Kapoor, alongside other actors, all went through auditions without their celebrity parents’ interference.
Auditions: A Level Playing Field
Karan Mally revealed that a rigorous audition process was conducted for “The Archies,” involving all aspiring actors, including the well-known star children. He emphasized that the casting team’s focus was solely on finding the right fit for each role, without considering their famous lineage.
According to Mally, the team never thought about “kaun kiska bacha hai” (who is whose child) during the selections. Zoya Akhtar herself, he noted, doesn’t operate with such biases, ensuring a fair process for everyone.
Parents Kept Their Distance
A key revelation from Mally was the complete non-involvement of the star parents, such as Shah Rukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, and Boney Kapoor, in the casting decisions. He stated that he only met them at the film’s premiere, long after the casting was finalized.
This clarifies earlier speculation and reinforces the idea that the young actors earned their roles through the standard audition procedure, rather than through parental influence.
Beyond the Spotlight
While much of the media’s attention centered on Suhana, Agastya, and Khushi, “The Archies” also introduced other talented newcomers like Mihir Ahuja, Vedang Raina, and Aditi Seigal. Mally highlighted that some of these actors, despite their strong performances, unfortunately went “unnoticed” due to the overwhelming focus on the star kids.
He cited Vedang Raina as an example of talent discovered through the same audition process, initially a student and model, who was chosen for being the best fit for his character. The casting team’s goal was always to match the beloved comic book characters as accurately as possible.
Filmmaker’s Perspective on Scrutiny
Director Zoya Akhtar has also previously addressed the intense scrutiny surrounding the casting. She pointed out that while the film’s poster featured seven young actors, the media predominantly highlighted only three, fueling the nepotism debate.
Akhtar expressed her disappointment, suggesting that by focusing solely on a few, the media inadvertently “robbed” the other four actors of their moment in the spotlight. She asserted that her production presented all seven equally, and the disproportionate attention lay with external narratives, not the production itself.
- All actors, including star kids, auditioned for “The Archies.”
- Celebrity parents had no involvement in the casting process.
- Other talented newcomers in the film received less media attention.
- The casting director aimed for accurate character matching from the comic book.
This insight from the casting director offers a clearer picture of the meticulous process behind bringing the iconic Archies gang to life on screen.
