Bhumi Pednekar Shines in Netflix's The Royals: A Modern Take on Indian Romance and Royal Life

Palaces, power struggles, and a prince who sometimes forgets his shirt—Netflix's The Royals brings a fresh look at Indian aristocracy to screens around the world. If you are a fan of romantic comedies, this series offers a contemporary twist. It dives into the world of a pretend Indian royal family in the falling-apart kingdom of Morpur. I find the mix of old-world charm with modern-day hustle quite interesting. It definitely makes for a different kind of love story than what we usually see.

The show, created by Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy, puts Ishaan Khatter in the role of Aviraaj Singh, a prince who does not really want to be one. He is also a polo player. Opposite him is Bhumi Pednekar as Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, a very driven CEO with big business dreams. This pairing itself sets up a fascinating dynamic. I was curious to see how these two very different worlds would clash and come together.

The whole idea behind the show began with exploring the tension between old royalty and new business. Rangita Pritish Nandy explained that Indian royalty technically does not exist anymore. It was taken away in 1950. So, you have these grand palaces and the appearance of wealth, but unlike other places in the world, India does not have a monarchy now. Many old palaces have become luxury hotels. This background sets the stage for a unique story. It is about taking wealth away from those who used to have it and giving power to a new group of startup leaders. Placing a romance at the heart of this idea makes it appealing, especially for someone like me who loves romantic comedies.

Bhumi Pednekar's Role in The Royals: A Different Kind of Character for the Talented Actor

Sophia Kanmani Shekhar Brings a New Energy and Unapologetic Female Leadership

For Bhumi Pednekar, playing Sophia meant stepping into a role different from her past work. Rangita Pritish Nandy pointed out that Bhumi has had much success in a certain kind of role. This show allowed her to try something new. Sophia as a character fits with the kind of strong female leads that are often seen in Nandy's other projects, like the Emmy-nominated series Four More Shots Please. I think it is great that the show always lets its women be themselves. They are allowed to make mistakes and find their way without having to apologize for it.

Sophia Kanmani Shekhar is an ace CEO. She meets Prince Aviraaj Singh, and suddenly a huge opportunity to grow her new company falls into her lap. Aviraaj is a prince whose old royal mansion in Morpur is falling apart. It desperately needs to be fixed up. His family just does not have the money for it. That is where Sophia comes in. Her company is known for getting five-star bed-and-breakfasts up and running. But can Aviraaj, the polo-playing aristocrat, and Sophia, the self-made business leader, put their class issues and very different life experiences aside long enough to save the palace? Or will their growing feelings for each other get in the way? I certainly hope their feelings do not mess things up too much.

I find Sophia's directness and business sense very appealing. She is not afraid to say what needs to be done. This is a contrast to Aviraaj's more laid-back approach. Bhumi Pednekar does a good job of showing Sophia's drive while also letting us see her softer moments. Some might say her character swings from being a strong leader to a helpless mess, but I think that shows a more human side. It is interesting to see her navigate such big changes.

Ishaan Khatter and the Ensemble Cast: Bringing Life to Morpur's Royal Dysfunction

The Chemistry Between Leads and the Importance of the Supporting Characters

The choice to cast Bhumi alongside Ishaan was done on purpose to create a compelling on-screen dynamic. Nandy shared that they were like "yin and yang." When they were put in a room together, the chemistry was obvious. But it was not a typical chemistry. They were both strong personalities, both "alphas." Ishaan Khatter was on the casting list from the start. Netflix suggested Pednekar. Nandy knew she was perfect the moment she met her. It just takes meeting an actor, often, to know they can do it. They are both great at what they do.

And for those who were interested in Ishaan Khatter’s shirtless scenes in the trailer, Nandy humorously admitted that there are "a lot of times" he is shirtless. She also said "nobody’s going to be complaining." That is certainly a detail that caught some attention. While some reviews say his shirtless scenes work harder than the plot I think it adds to his character as the "reluctant new-age prince" who is perhaps more about appearance than substance at first.

The show also has a large cast. Indian screen legend Zeenat Aman is in it, along with Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Dino Morea, Milind Soman, Chunky Panday, Vihaan Samat, Kavya Trehan, Sumukhi Suresh, Udit Arora, Lisa Mishra, and Luke Kenny. This big group of actors helps fill out the world of Morpur. Each character brings something different to the story. I always appreciate a strong supporting cast. They add so much to the main plot.

The Royals: Authenticity, Storytelling, and Hopes for Future Seasons

Why This Indian Series Stands Out and Its Journey to Global Audiences

When thinking about Indian series on global platforms like Netflix, Nandy stressed how important cultural authenticity is. She believes that creators in India should always put India front and center in their content. By doing this, they can take something unique from India to the rest of the world. It is about not just copying Western shows. I agree with this idea. It makes a show feel real and fresh.

Nandy feels that a lot of content made today sounds similar to what is being made globally. That is where a show like The Royals stands out. It talks about royalty, but it is Indian royalty that, as we discussed, technically does not exist. The series gives viewers worldwide a peek into the world of palaces and the private lives within them. Nandy described it as "exciting and exotic for the rest of the world." This unique approach can definitely make the show appealing to a broad audience, even if the critics are divided.

The show took about a year and a half to write. Nandy mentioned that they always hope for another season. To get that, you need memorable characters. Characters that you want to welcome into your home. If you do not have that, you will not enjoy a show. I think this focus on characters is key. It makes actors want to join the show. They love having so much "meat" to dig into with their roles and have fun with them. This attention to detail in character writing helps make the show feel more human and less like just another generic rom-com.

Reflecting on her company's past, Nandy noted their core approach has not changed much. Their early films were never traditional Bollywood products. But they found success because they appealed to a more modern audience in cities. She feels the content they made always spoke to a wider world. What was once a challenge has now become their biggest strength. For the future, Nandy says she will "still be living in the palaces of India." She believes there is nothing as beautiful as India. She thinks not enough Indian stories are told set in India. She feels there is much more to share from her home country.

I think this show, despite some of its flaws, manages to be an enjoyable watch for what it sets out to be. It is not trying to be a deep exploration of monarchy or class. It aims to be light, flirty, and easy to watch. While some moments might feel clichéd or forced, the overall vibe is charming. The sibling relationships have some nice, warm moments, especially later in the season. It is true that the show is very stylish. Everyone looks like they stepped out of a fashion magazine. But I do not think that completely takes away from the emotion. It shows that even in the most glamorous settings, people still deal with real feelings and problems.