Entertainment

Zoya Akhtar on challenges of making ‘The Archies’

Published

2 years ago

December 1, 2023

Staff Reporter

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New Delhi [India], December 1 (ANI): Ace filmmaker Zoya Akhtar is gearing up for her upcoming film, ‘The Archies’, which got the limelight since the release of its trailer.Bringing back the nostalgia of 1960s when teenagers used to enjoy reading Archie Comics rather than surfing the internet, Zoya has attempted to recreate the magic of that era in her movie.

Drawing inspiration from the beloved Archie Comics, the director shared her love for the comics, reflecting on her childhood experiences and the challenges involved in bringing this dreamy world to life through the film.

While talking about the film, Zoya told ANI, “My love is for the comic. I grew up reading the comic. That was a pre-liberalised India and there wasn’t access to everything like today in the early 80s. It was a dreamy escape and that dream escape is what I’ve tried to capture with this film.”Opening up about the casting of the film and how it happened, she shared, “The casting took eight months to a year. We knew that the characters are so iconic. They are known globally. We didn’t want to take any established stars because they come with their own image and baggage. We needed people who the audience will believe to be Archie, Veronica, Reggie, and Dilton. We knew we wanted newcomers. They had to be 17 years old. So, they had to be very young. We tested everyone.”On casting the newcomers and even those who have no acting background, Zoya said, “Agastya, who plays Archie. He was in business school. He had no idea and I told him to just come and audition. And then I kept auditioning him and before he knew it, he was in the movie.”She continued, “The second was Dot (Aditi Saigal), who is a musician and plays Ethel. I met her to get a song from her and in the middle of that Zoom conversation, I was like, ‘She is too Ethel.’ So I asked her if she could act and she said no. Then I said, if she could audition and she said yes. So I tested her and she got cast.””We found Dilton (Yuvraj Menda) on Instagram. He used to put up dance videos and stuff. We called him in when he was 17. He had not even turned 18 and he was still in school. He had no idea he was going to act,” she added.

When asked about the criteria for choosing Suhana as Veronica, Agastya as Archie, Khushi as Betty and others, she said, “Suhana was already cast. Suhana was studying acting and I’ve seen her in a short film. I’ve seen her act and she has always wanted to be an actor. So when she came in, she tested for both Betty and Veronica. We liked her more for Veronica and Khushi for Betty. Ethel (Aditi Saigal) and Archie (Agastya Nanda) got cast last.”Zoya mentioned the challenges faced while making a movie on such a popular and iconic subject as expectations of the audience has to be kept in mind.

As she shared, “The challenge is double-fold because for the people who are fans of Archie, they want to get the nostalgia. They want to go back to that time when they were children. They are fans and cannot come out and ask, ‘What is this?’ They have to look at it and feel as if they are 12-year-olds again. That innocence and idealism need to be there. For the new generation that doesn’t know Archie, there has to be something that concerns them something and that emotionally resonates with them. We kept the essence, we kept the nostalgia and we kept the characters and their traits. But we made the theme of the story Gen Z.”The film will be out on Netflix on December 7. (ANI)

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Staff Reporter

Entertainment

Canada Super 60 set to dazzle with star-studded concert line-up at Vancouver’s BC Place

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1 week ago

October 9, 2025

Michael Gomes

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The Canada Super 60 isn’t just changing the game; it’s creating North America’s newest entertainment spectacle. From October 8 to 13, Vancouver’s iconic BC Place will transform into a full-fledged cultural carnival, blending high-octane cricket with back-to-back music concerts.

Get ready for six nights of non-stop entertainment, headlined by some of the biggest names in Punjabi, Desi, and global fusion music. From the infectious beats of Harrdy Sandhu and Jassie Gill to the international flair of Mickey Singh, each night promises a festival atmosphere both on and off the pitch.

Concert Line-Up Highlights

Oct 8 – Harrdy Sandhu (9pm)
Oct 9 – Jassie Gill (9pm)
Oct 10 – Mickey Singh (9pm)
Oct 11 – Parmish Verma (9pm)
Oct 12 – Raf-Saperra (9pm)
Oct 13 – GirlsLikeYou x Indo Warehouse (6:15pm)

The entertainment bonanza runs alongside thrilling cricket matches featuring international stars and fan favourites. With Yuvraj Singh backing the league and legends like Shikhar Dhawan and Suresh Raina on the field, Canada Super 60 is shaping up to be the ultimate blend of glamour, game, and groove.

“This is not just cricket; this is a lifestyle experience,” said a spokesperson for Canada Super 60. “Our entertainment line-up reflects the league’s ambition to unite cultures through music, sport, and community.”

Fans can expect full-scale stadium productions, food and cultural showcases, and plenty of Instagram-worthy moments, turning BC Place into Canada’s most happening venue this October.

About Canada Super 60

Canada Super 60 is the newest format in global cricket, a 60-ball showdown that delivers fast-paced action and festival-style entertainment. Backed by international icons and powered by music, sport, and cultural unity, it’s redefining how fans experience cricket in North America.

Entertainment

UAE students risk repeating a year if absences exceed 15 days, new rules state

Published

2 months ago

September 2, 2025

Michael Gomes

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Public school students in the UAE could be required to repeat an academic year if their unexcused absences exceed 15 days, under new rules announced by the Ministry of Education.

The updated guidelines exclude absences related to illness, medical travel, official event participation, emergencies, or family bereavements. Students will now be allowed up to five unexcused absences per term, capped at 15 across the year. Any excess will trigger a review, with the student’s file referred to the relevant authorities and child protection services.

The ministry also clarified that absences on Fridays, or on days immediately before or after official holidays, will count as two days. A warning system has been introduced to notify parents on the first day of absence.

Special exemptions will apply to students of determination and those with chronic illnesses. Parents may also appeal within five working days of being notified, ensuring fairness in implementation.

The initiative is aimed at tackling absenteeism, which the ministry said has a direct impact on academic performance. Citing studies, it noted that missing 10 per cent of school days equates to a loss of half an academic year, while absences beyond 20 per cent amount to a full year’s loss in achievement.

Schools have been instructed to create individual support plans for students at risk of frequent absences, including counselling sessions, parent engagement, and incentive programmes.

The ministry added that it will be up to educational boards to decide whether these rules will also extend to private schools.

Announcements

Tickets now live for Dubai’s first homegrown musical spectacle

Published

4 months ago

June 14, 2025

Staff Reporter

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A cultural revolution is about to begin. Tickets are now available for Once Upon A Time in Dubai, the most ambitious, emotional, and spectacular musical ever produced in the region. Opening this December at The Agenda in Dubai Media City, the show is already being called a once-in-a-generation phenomenon — and for good reason.

More than just a stage production, Once Upon A Time in Dubai is the first original large-scale musical entirely created in the UAE, blending Broadway-worthy storytelling with the energy and dreams of one of the world’s most iconic cities. Behind this bold vision is Stéphane Boukris, entrepreneur and cultural trailblazer, who has brought together an international creative dream team — including Universal Music Group MENA as co-producer — to craft a deeply emotional journey of love, ambition, and transformation, set in today’s Dubai.

“This show is a tribute to everything Dubai represents: ambition, diversity, and the power to build your own destiny,” says Boukris. “We are creating something people will never forget.”

A World-Class Team Behind the Curtain

The production brings together talents who have previously worked on global shows such as Céline Dion, Disney shows, and Arabs Got Talent (MBC). From lighting to choreography and technical design, every detail is crafted by artists and technicians at the highest international standards.

A Story That Speaks to a Generation

At the heart of the show is Will, a young English dancer who arrives in Dubai to search for Sophia, the woman he loves. Along the way, he meets artists, entrepreneurs, and dreamers from all walks of life, culminating in a celebration of courage, community, and reinvention.

The cast features rising stars Amanda Maalouf (X Factor) and Joe Woolford (The Voice UK) — with many of the lead vocalists and performers previously featured on international talent platforms, bringing an exceptional level of stage presence and vocal power. The musical includes over 20 original songs composed by Nazim Khaled, including already-viral hits like “Habibi”, “Stranger in the World”, and “Think Big”.

A City-Wide Movement

With over 150,000 spectators expected across 55 performances, the show is much more than an event — it’s becoming a movement. Once Upon A Time in Dubai is already making waves across the city with:

● Strategic brand partnerships: McDonald’s, Carrefour MAF, Careem, Accor, Mall of the

Emirates, Tilal Al Ghaf, GEMS Education, and more

● Immersive activations: Soundtracks in Hala taxis, QR codes in malls, music in retail

stores, and dedicated social media campaigns

● Youth engagement: Auditions and showcases for students across GEMS schools,

opening the stage to the next generation of performers

The show will be performed in English, and supported by a multicultural creative team led by stage director Johan Nus.

Exclusive Ticket Sale

Tickets are available exclusively via Fever, the global ticketing platform. Pre-sale access has already launched with selected partners such as GEMS, Muse by Chalhoub, and Accor’s ALL loyalty members — with thousands of tickets snapped up in just days.

🎤 Behind the scenes videos, interviews with the cast, and a full media kit are available upon request. 📸 Press passes for opening week are now being issued — be among the first to witness the birth of a new cultural landmark.