Archie, Veronica, Jughead, and Betty will soon be making their way out of Riverdale all the way to India. Joining hands in a never-before collaboration, Archie Comics and Graphic India are readying to produce a Bollywood-style live-action film that features the classic characters. all portrayed by Indian actors. We ask graphic novelists on one comic that they would like to see adapted for Indian audiences, and which actors could best fit the role.
‘The time is ripe for a dystopian political thriller’
Kishore Mohan, graphic novelist
I’m going to say V for Vendetta, for some very obvious reasons. The time is ripe for a powerful dystopian political thriller. I don’t want to be branded as an anarchist but we are talking about an alternate reality in which the people are oppressed by a fictional neo-fascist government. We’re talking rigged elections, unfair taxation, high hate crime rate, general intolerance, biased media, and a prevalent feeling of insecurity. And since the protagonist doesn’t have a face, I cannot think of a mightier voice than that of Bollywood’s favourite Amitabh Bachchan.
‘I would love to see Inspector Azad on the screen’
Gautam Benegal, cartoonist
I think it’s fantastic that Archie is being translated for the Indian audience. I can already see millennials finding the comic relatable since it has evolved a lot through the years. Back in the day, Archie comics were the only slice of America that we could acquire as there were no gadgets or gizmos. However, I feel the young generation would love the life of Archie and his friends being brought into Bollywood because it is something they would be able to relate to.
If given the chance, I would love to see Inspector Azad on the screen starring Irfan Khan in the lead.
‘The series has characters that I find very relevant to Indians’
Abhijeet Kini, Comic Artist
I think Belgian cartoonist Georges Remi’s The Adventures of Tintin is perfectly suited for Indian audiences. Sure, it is a Belgian-origin comic, but once you see the storyline that the comic follows, it is interesting. In fact, they also have some socio-political satire that the Indian audience should open up to. The comic series also has characters that I find very relevant to Indians. The cast has Captain Haddock, who is perennially drunk, there is an absent-minded professor and some mythological characters that Indians already love! It is not just a comedy; I believe that the comic has a thrill to it that sits well with Indian audiences.
‘Sushant Singh Rajput would look good as Aladdin’
Rohit Bose, Creative Director, Daily Digital
As a graphic designer and illustrator working on various concepts depicting Bollywood actors in different roles, I would like to see an adaptation of Aladdin for Indian screens. I think Sushant Singh Rajput would look good as Aladdin and Deepika Padukone as the queen he wants to impress. Sanjay Dutt can play the Genie.
‘I would like to see what they could do with Superman’
Cameron Luke Saripalli, cosplayer and comic lover
Personally, I think that Bollywood should stay away from adapting comic books with characters such as Superman or Batman into films. I just don’t think it would be a wise move... I mean we’ve seen Superman dance once in Bollywood (I’m talking about Govinda’s portrayal) and it wasn’t really a success. But having said that, it would interest me to see what they possibly could bring to the big screen... who knows, they could probably surprise the public. Just out of interest sake, I’d like to see what they could do with Superman again since he’s my favourite.
‘Humour and comedy are always appreciated’
Rakhi Kapoor, writer
Humour and comedy are always appreciated. So we will have to wait to see what they make out of our teenage heroes from the Archie series.
For the Indian audiences, I think an adaptation of Mulla Nasruddin, an ancient Persian folk character and his likes of subtle and good humour is worth a try.
I am a great fan of both Marvel and DC comics. Superheroes depicted as hardworking vulnerable and courageous people who face odds with a message to inspire the common man will be appreciated. And I also believe that we have brilliant actors who could portray any character.
