The Royals on Netflix offers more than just visual appeal; it delves into the financial struggles faced by royalty, highlighting how the hospitality industry can provide solutions. This entertaining series offers a surprising twist, challenging the perception that all royals are wealthy and revealing that their lives can be largely superficial.
Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, written by Neha Veena Sharma, and produced by Pritish Nandy Communications, The Royals is the creation of Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy.
Story
The series opens with Sophia Kanmani Shekhar (Bhumi Pednekar) preparing for a crucial business pitch during her morning run. When a staff member politely asks her to run elsewhere due to a photoshoot, Sophia disregards the request and disrupts the set. This introduces us to Aviraj Singh (Ishaan Khatter), the Maharaj of Morpur. Later, Sophia’s disruptive behavior in a restaurant catches Aviraj’s attention, leading to a brief encounter that is cut short by business calls. However, the subsequent argument, which is meant to be the catalyst for a “enemies to lovers” plot, feels forced and unconvincing.
A business deal brings Sophia and her team to the Morpur palace, where she discovers that the king is none other than Aviraj, her former date. To keep the deal alive, they put aside their differences, as the royals desperately need funds and Sophia’s team needs the project to succeed. Despite their cooperation, conflicts, relationship issues, and dashed dreams lead to a disappointing conclusion.
Performances
The eight-episode series provides ample opportunity for the cast to showcase their acting abilities, though some performances are more impressive than others. Ishaan Khatter truly embodies royalty, demonstrating his talent through his dialogue delivery, dance skills, horsemanship, and overall charisma. Sakshi Tanwar delivers a strong performance as well, though her character’s mannerisms may take some getting used to. Kavya Trehan and Vihaan Samat, along with supporting actors like Sumukhi Suresh, Zeenat Aman, and Udit Arora, also leave a positive impression.
However, Bhumi Pednekar’s portrayal of Sophia falls short, marked by overreactions and a lack of emotional depth. Her performance stands in stark contrast to her previous roles. In addition, her styling choices in the series are questionable.
Behind the scenes
The Royals, penned by Neha Sharma, Vishnu Sinha, Annukampa Harsh, Ishita Pritish Nandy, and Rangita Pritish Nandy, with direction by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, demonstrates commendable effort from both teams, yet falls short due to significant shortcomings. Ishaan’s character, despite the potential for an “Anthony Bridgerton”-esque development, appears merely bewildered and easily swayed, reflecting a lack of depth in both writing and direction. Conversely, while the series overemphasizes dramatic reactions, Vihaan Samat’s character’s aspirations deserved greater exploration; his transition from aspiring maharaja to chef feels jarringly abrupt. Similarly, Divyaranjini Singh, portrayed by Kavya Trehan, experiences a sudden shift to bisexuality, unsupported by sufficient screen time or development.
Final Analysis
Despite its flaws, The Royals is an engaging series that effectively captures the royal lifestyle and gives each character unique qualities. The music is decent, especially the song “Tu Hai Wahi.” While the series may not reach the grandeur of Bridgerton, it has its own charm. If you’re seeking lighthearted entertainment, The Royals deserves a watch over the weekend.
