Entertainment

Zoya Akhtar on challenges of making ‘The Archies’

Published

3 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

Dubai Miracle Garden returns as UAE’s cooler season begins

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9 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Staff Reporter

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Dubai’s Miracle Garden has reopened for its 15th season as temperatures begin to fall across the UAE. The popular attraction in Al Barsha South welcomed visitors on Thursday, 8 October, with the new season being launched under the theme “Fifteen Years, Blooming Together”.

Sheikh Theyab bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, chairman of Miracle Group, inaugurated the new season. The garden will remain open until 31 May 2027, with a programme of weekly themes and events planned around the UAE’s cultural and national calendar.

Visitors will see activities linked to occasions including Pink October, United Nations Day, UAE Flag Day and Diwali. The programme will also include live music, family entertainment and fitness activities held as part of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Events are also planned for Commemoration Day and Eid Al Etihad.

“For fifteen seasons, Dubai Miracle Garden has grown alongside Dubai and its people,” Sheikh Theyab said. “This season is dedicated to the community that made it possible, particularly the families and residents who return year after year.”

Mohammed Zaher Hammadih, group chief executive of Miracle Group, said the weekly programme was intended to encourage visitors to return throughout the season.

“As we mark our 15th season, Dubai Miracle Garden continues to bring people together through shared experiences,” he said. “Our weekly programme gives families a new reason to return, with cultural celebrations, live entertainment and activities to enjoy throughout the season.”

The garden features more than 150 varieties of flowers and is known for its large-scale floral displays, some of which have previously set Guinness World Records.

Since opening in 2013, it has attracted millions of visitors and become one of Dubai’s established family attractions.The garden is open daily from 9am to 9pm on weekdays and from 9am to 11pm at weekends.

Tickets start at Dh105 for adults and Dh84 for children. Children under three can enter free of charge.

Entertainment

Emirates Dubai 7s 2026: Tickets on sale as festival returns with bigger family zone

Published

1 month ago

August 31, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Emirates Dubai 7s is returning to The Sevens Stadium from November 27 to 29, with tickets now on sale for the three-day sports and entertainment festival.

The 2026 edition will bring together international rugby, amateur sports, live music and family entertainment, with organisers promising a bigger programme than previous years.

The festival attracted more than 88,000 visitors in 2025 and will again take place during the final weekend of the Dubai Fitness Challenge.

Ticket prices

Ticket prices for General Admission and Hospitality have stayed the same for a third consecutive year.

Three-day General Admission tickets cost Dh595 per person, while the three-day Family Pass is Dh1,136 for two adults and two children.

Other ticket options

Group pass: Dh446 per person for four or more adults
Saturday or Sunday: Dh455
Friday: Dh75
Under 15s: Free
People of Determination + carer: Dh375

Tickets can be purchased through the Emirates Dubai 7s website and app.

Bigger family attractions

Family entertainment will get a major boost this year as the UAE celebrates the Year of the Family.

The festival will feature its biggest-ever Kids’ Zone, including the UAE’s largest inflatable kids’ zone, along with a Ferris wheel and zipline. More attractions are expected to be announced ahead of the event.

Six sports and top rugby action

Alongside elite rugby, visitors can watch or take part in competitions across six sports — rugby, netball, cricket, WODON3 fitness, Rebound padel and Gaelic Football.

Gaelic Football will join the festival for the first time in 2026.

The Sevens Stadium will also host the opening round of the HSBC SVNS Series 2027, bringing the world’s leading rugby sevens players to Dubai.

The WODON3 Elite final will take place on Pitch 1 between HSBC SVNS matches, with competitors potentially performing in front of crowds of up to 20,000.

Music all weekend

Live entertainment will run throughout the festival, with local and international artists performing across three days.

Last year’s line-up included Tinie Tempah, Sean Paul and Fisher, while the 2026 headline acts will be announced later.

For a premium experience, The Sunroom returns with all-inclusive food and drinks, shaded seating, prime sporting views and dedicated access. Packages start from Dh1,925 per person.

With sport, music and family attractions packed into one weekend, Emirates Dubai 7s is gearing up for another big Dubai event.

Entertainment

Dubai launches ‘Dubai+’ family streaming platform to boost digital media and creative economy

Published

8 months ago

January 29, 2026

Michael Gomes

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Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Second Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Chairman of the Dubai Media Council, has approved the launch of Dubai+, a new family-oriented digital media platform, reinforcing Dubai’s ambition to become a global hub for digital media and the creative economy.

The approval came as Sheikh Ahmed chaired the Dubai Media Council’s first meeting of 2026 at Dubai Media, where members reviewed sector strategies and plans to strengthen content creation, innovation and local production capabilities.

What is Dubai+?

Dubai+ will offer a wide range of family-friendly content, bringing together:

Local and Emirati productions
Arab series and films
International entertainment

The platform reflects Dubai Media’s integrated digital ecosystem strategy, responding to shifting viewer habits and the growing demand for high-quality, on-demand digital content.

“We believe media is a strategic force that shapes awareness, supports development and builds trust,” Sheikh Ahmed said.

Boosting Local Film and Content Production

The Council also reviewed plans to:

Enhance local production capabilities
Support cinema as a cultural and creative industry
Invest in programmes that drive creative and economic growth

Samr Al Marzooqi, Director of Films and Production at the Dubai Media Council, outlined upcoming initiatives aimed at showcasing Emirati and international talent while strengthening Dubai’s film sector.

Next Phase of Growth

Mona Al Marri, Vice Chairperson and Managing Director of the Dubai Media Council, said the next phase will focus on monitoring implementation and ensuring measurable outcomes across the sector.

Secretary General Nehal Badri added that priorities include encouraging private sector participation, accelerating content development, and investing in talent, advanced production technologies and future-ready capabilities.