BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*
The Royals, Netflix’s much-awaited Hindi-language romantic comedy drama, premiered on May 9, 2025, and it delivers exactly what one would expect from a Pritish Nandy Communications production: opulence, style, and a swirl of emotions.
Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, the eight-episode series stars Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter in lead roles, with supporting performances from Nora Fatehi, Dino Morea, Chunky Pandey, Milind Sonam, Sakshi Tanwar and the legendary Zeenat Aman. Shot extensively in Rajasthan, the show highlights palaces and heritage locations rarely seen on screen, adding a lush visual layer to the drama.
Plot and Premise
At the heart of The Royals is a fascinating idea: Bhumi Pednekar plays the CEO of Work Potato, a start-up launching a project called Royal B&B, a luxury experience where ordinary people can stay with royal families and participate in their age-old traditions. The goal? To bridge the gap between India’s blue-blooded families and the commoners, bringing the two worlds together. This premise provides a fresh setup for romantic entanglements, family drama, and social commentary.
A Story of Secrets, Identity, and Acceptance
While the romantic plot line between Pednekar and Khatter anchors the show, The Royals digs deeper into the layered lives of its characters. Each royal hides secrets behind a polished facade, and the show explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and generational change. Notably, the series addresses gay and lesbian relationships within the royal family, contrasting how the older generation lived closeted lives while the younger generation embraces their truth more openly. These moments offer some of the show’s most sensitive and progressive scenes.
Bhumi and Khattar’s characters connect over the shared loss in their lives, Bhumi has lost both her parents, while Khattar has lost his father. Milind Soman’s character, who plays Khattar’s father, only appears in flashbacks, but his presence is thoughtfully and effectively integrated into the screenplay.
Performances: Highlights and Stumbles
Ishaan Khatter is easily the standout performer, seamlessly handling romance, humor, and emotional moments, proving that not all “nepo kids” are overhyped. With a Hollywood debut opposite Nicole Kidman in The Perfect Couple, Khatter is poised for an international breakthrough, and The Royals only strengthens his upward momentum.
Bhumi Pednekar gives a good performance, though at times overshadowed by both Khatter and the powerhouse supporting cast. Still, this role might offer her a much-needed boost after her string of flop Bollywood releases in the past few years.
The supporting cast is a delightful highlight. Nora Fatehi, Dino Morea, and Zeenat Aman steal scenes every time they appear. Aman, in particular, breaks stereotypes with sharp, progressive lines like “tum vidhwa ho, murda nahi” (“you are a widow, not dead”), signaling early on that this won’t be a typical patriarchal royal tale. Her classic dialog sums up the existence of Royals, “Darling hum kuch karte nahi hain, hum bas hain” (“Darling we don’t do anything, we just exist”)
Ishaan’s on-screen siblings, Vihaan Samat as Digvijay Singh and Kavya Trehan as Divyaranjini Singh, bring warmth and charm to the family dynamic, particularly in the tender and relatable sibling moments, while also carrying their own subplot of self-discovery.
Chunky Pandey makes a special appearance but unfortunately adds little to the plot, if his role was meant to have an impact, it never quite comes through.
However, not all casting worked. Sakshi Tanwar gives an earnest performance, but the characterization of her role is one of the show’s weakest points. Her comedic scenes often veer into cringe territory, and she struggles to embody the effortless elegance of a royal, at times feeling like she’s acting “at” being royal rather than inhabiting it. A casting swap with actresses like Lara Dutta, Dia Mirza, or Shefali Shah could have lifted the part considerably. Moreover, her personal life is not portrayed with much depth or sensitivity, and her choices are shown in a rather light and unclear way in the script. Yet, this aspect is central to the overall story and could become a key focus in a potential second season.
Pacing, Subplots, and Unresolved Threads
The series introduces several interesting threads, like a mysterious character named Maurice, who inherits a significant portion of the royal wealth, yet the plotline fizzles without buildup, only resurfacing in the final episode without satisfying payoff.
Some subplots and characters feel unnecessary and could have been trimmed to tighten the series into six episodes instead of eight. The uneven pacing results in certain moments feeling rushed while others are overexplained, creating a somewhat bloated middle and ending.
Crucially, the makers leave few storylines unresolved, hinting strongly at a potential second season.
Style, Music, and Atmosphere
As expected from a Pritish Nandy production, the glamour is top-notch, from luxurious costumes to stunning sets. The background music and songs work well overall, though some dance sequences lean too Bollywood-ish, clashing with the otherwise regal atmosphere, especially a ball dance that turns into a typical filmi performance.
Final Verdict
All the actors look, speak, and carry themselves like true royals, with Zeenat Aman, Nora Fatehi, and Dino Morea standing out in particular. Sakshi Tanwar is undoubtedly a talented actress, but she feels miscast in this role.
The Royals may have its flaws, uneven pacing, underwritten subplots, and a few casting missteps, but it still manages to hook viewers with its mix of romance, humor, and brilliant performances by all actors. The stunning Rajasthan backdrops make it a breezy, entertaining watch. At around 40 minutes per episode, it can feel overlong, particularly in the final stretch. Yet, for those seeking a light, romantic, and visually indulgent watch, the series delivers plenty of escapism and leaves just enough loose ends to make viewers wonder what a second season might bring.
Viewer caution: Viewers should note that the show includes some mature, sensual scenes, so it may not be suitable for family viewing.
Rating: ★★★¾ (3.72/5)
*Namita Dogra Sudan is the entertainment news editor and video news producer of NRIPulse.
