Zoya Akhtar’s latest release, “The Archies,” has stirred a diverse range of reviews since its debut on Netflix this month. Adding a personal touch to the discourse, renowned actor Manoj Bajpayee recently shared his candid thoughts on the film, coupled with insights into a unique father-daughter bonding experience with his daughter Ava.
In an exclusive interview with Zoom, Manoj Bajpayee opened up about his decision to watch “The Archies,” attributing it to the influence of his daughter. However, the actor didn’t shy away from expressing his honest opinion about the film to Ava, revealing that he didn’t quite appreciate it.
Bajpayee recounted the moment, stating, “My daughter was watching The Archies, and I told her, ‘I am not liking it.’ She was like, ‘Okay,’ and by then I had watched it for 50 minutes.” Interestingly, Bajpayee elaborated on the fact that “The Archies” wasn’t a part of his formative years, which were marked by the likes of “Motu Patlu” and “Ram Balram.” Reflecting on his limited exposure to the Archies universe, he shared, “I might have read maybe just one book of Archies, and I remember Veronica and Betty. But, she was also not liking it.”
Manoj Bajpayee and his Daughter
The actor further added a humorous twist to the narrative, revealing that during the viewing, he suggested to Ava that the characters should converse in Hindi, akin to the characters in the film. This suggestion, however, led to an unexpected scolding from Ava, who accused her father of disrupting her movie-watching experience. Bajpayee chuckled as he recounted her response, stating, “She said, ‘You are not giving family time, papa.’ Every time I start scolding her, she scolds me in return.”
As the interview unfolded, it became evident that beyond the film critique, the interaction between Manoj Bajpayee and his daughter added a delightful layer to the narrative. The shared experience of watching a film together, complete with candid opinions and playful scolding, underscored the unique dynamics of their father-daughter relationship.
Shifting the focus to “The Archies” itself, the film, directed by Zoya Akhtar, is a coming-of-age musical that revolves around the lives of seven friends residing in the fictional hilly town of Riverdale. Notably, the movie marked the debut of seven emerging talents, including Suhana Khan, daughter of Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, Khushi Kapoor, the late Sridevi’s younger daughter, and Agastya Nanda, grandson of the legendary Amitabh Bachchan.
In the broader context of Manoj Bajpayee’s recent ventures, he was last seen in “Joram,” directed by Devashish Makhija, which hit the screens on December 8. His compelling performance in “Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai,” released on May 23, garnered widespread acclaim. Prior to these, the actor shared the screen with veteran Sharmila Tagore in “Gulmohar,” released in March.