Munjya actor Abhay Verma turned down the offer to work in Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor and Agastya Nanda starrer The Archies; here's why

Actor Abhay Verma, who got his breakthrough role in Manoj Bajpayee starrer OTT series ‘The Family Man 2’, was most recently seen in ‘Munjya’, starring Sharvari Wagh. In the popular movie, Abhay portrayed the lead opposite Sharvari in the blockbuster film.

Prior to bagging the spooky comedy horror film in 2024, he was set to feature in Zoya Akhtar’s directorial venture ‘The Archies’. But he headed in a different route.

During an interview with Digital Commentary, Abhay Verma revealed that he was offered a role in the movie ‘The Archies’, starring Suhana Khan, Khushi Kapoor, and Agastya Nanda. But Abhay preferred Sandeep Singh’s directorial ‘Safed’ over Zoya’s film.

When he was questioned whether he turned down ‘The Archies’ for Safed, the ‘Munjya’ actor nodded and said that both movies were “happening at the same time” Abhay shared, “I was in the process of The Archies but I really wanted to do Safed. I had auditioned for The Archies, and had met Zoya. But, Safed ka ho hi gaya tha toh I decided to go with the latter.”

The teenage musical comedy film, which was directed by Zoya Akhtar, also starred Vedang Raina, Mihir Ahuja, Aditi Saigal, and Yuvraj Menda in pivotal roles. It was a live-action adaptation of the 1960s animated cartoon ‘The Archie Show’, which included a fictional rock band called The Archies. It was co-produced by Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti under the banner of Tiger Films.

Prior to this, Abhay Verma had said that he had turned down the 2020 movie ‘Angrezi Medium’, directed by Homi Adajania. Irrfan Khan and Radhika Madan played the lead roles in the film. It also starred Dimple Kapadia and Kareena Kapoor Khan.

In 2023, Abhay Verma made his Bollywood debut with ‘Safed’ where he played the role of a transgender. The film also starred Meera Chopra and Barkha Bisht.

In 2024, Abhay made an appearance in the historical biographical film ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’. Sara Ali Khan portrayed Usha Mehta in the film, a woman who founded an underground radio station during the Quit India Movement with the intention of spreading the message of unity.

Abhay’s recently released film, ‘Munjya’ hit the big screens on June 7, 2024.