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One could view this adaptation of the Riverdale storyline in an Indian context as a form of cultural imperialism, homogenizing youth culture by incorporating elements of well-known intellectual property. On the other hand, one could simply enjoy the film’s infectiously catchy songs and impressive choreography performed by the energetic and talented cast. While dancing along, it’s worth noting that the filmmakers have subtly included subversive ideas, such as in the song Everything Is Politics which challenges the Marxist idea that there is a position outside of ideological influence. This conflicting nature makes the film’s lighthearted musical numbers both enjoyable and absurd at the same time.
Similar to the original American Archie comics, this story is set in a fictional town called Riverdale. However, in this version, Riverdale was established in northern India by Anglo-Indians, as depicted in an animated introduction. Following India’s independence, the citizens of Riverdale planted trees in honor of their children and to symbolize their newfound freedom and optimism for the future. This led to the creation of Green Park, a public space in the heart of the town. Fast forward to 1964, and the teenage residents of Riverdale are now enamored with rock’n’roll and miniskirts, dreaming of studying abroad for university. However, they are oblivious to the less-than-desirable changes happening around them. The wealthy and influential Mr. Lodge (played by Alyy Khan) has plans to develop Green Park and build a luxurious hotel in its center, much to the dismay of his daughter Veronica (portrayed by Suhana Kahn) and her high school peers.
The actions will have varying impacts on the local residents. For instance, a building owner chooses to shut down the bookstore where Hal (Satyajit Sharma), the father of Veronica’s close friend Betty (Khushi Kapoor), works as a manager. This leaves Hal without a job, unless he agrees to work for a book chain that prioritizes profits. Meanwhile, teenage heartthrob Archie Andrews (Agastya Nanda), who is already struggling with sex and love addiction that will haunt him in the future, is torn between his attraction to Veronica and Betty. The songs about the political nature of everything help him come to a decision, but the group of kids still need to gather enough signatures to overturn the city council’s ruling to rezone Green Park.
The summary of the plot may give the impression that this is similar to an episode of the dark American spinoff TV show Riverdale, set in North America. However, everything mentioned takes place in a recognizable version of rural India during that time period. The language spoken is a mixture of Hindi and English, older women wear saris, and Bollywood is the main cultural influence in the dance numbers, even when everyone is wearing rollerskates. The whole experience is quite unusual but somehow manages to come together, thanks to the fast-paced editing and the lively energy injected by directors Zoya Akhtar and Ryan Brophy.
Source: theguardian.com
