The Royals: Netflix’s Star-Studded Rajasthan Drama Mixes Power, Fashion, and Chaos — But Not Without Its Flaws
Netflix’s The Royals brings together the grandeur of a Rajasthani royal family and a modern-day CEO in a chaotic, visually rich drama. Though the premise promises excitement and regality, the eight-episode series ends up being a mixed bag of highs and lows.
Featuring a diverse ensemble of veteran actors like Sakshi Tanwar, Zeenat Aman, Dino Morea, Milind Soman, and Chunky Pandey, and younger faces like Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, Vihaan Samat, and Kavya Trehan, the show had the potential for brilliance that it never fully reaches.
Plot Overview
The story opens with Sophia Kanmani Shekhar (Bhumi Pednekar) preparing for a crucial business pitch during a morning run on a beach.
An encounter with Maharaj Aviraj Singh of Morpur (Ishaan Khatter) during this run sets the tone for a rocky romantic setup.
Sophia’s disregard for others and Aviraj’s royal aloofness quickly clash again at a restaurant, leading to an impulsive, interrupted night together. However, the poorly executed fight meant to fuel their “enemies-to-lovers” arc feels forced and unconvincing.
The twist arrives when Sophia reaches the Morpur palace with her team, only to realise the man she earlier met is the actual king, not Vihaan Samat’s character, Digvijay Singh.
With financial stakes for both parties, they attempt to make the deal work. But relationship tensions, broken dreams, and confusing emotional turns eventually lead to an unsatisfying dead end.
Writing and Direction
With writing credits going to Neha Sharma, Vishnu Sinha, Annukampa Harsh, Ishita Pritish Nandy, and Rangita Pritish Nandy, and direction by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, the show has flashes of brilliance overshadowed by significant flaws.
Ishaan’s character could have been India’s Anthony Bridgerton, but instead comes across as inconsistent. Writing and direction miss the opportunity to add depth to lead roles, especially in Ishaan’s and Vihaan’s arcs.
Digvijay’s dream of being a chef comes across as abrupt and underdeveloped, while Kavya Trehan’s character Divyaranjini Singh’s sexual orientation switch lacks proper narrative build-up.
Meanwhile, the romantic storyline involving Nora Fatehi’s Ayesha Dhondi also feels forced. Aviraj’s erratic romantic decisions further weaken the narrative and reduce his character to a superficial womaniser.
His redemption through a confession, though moving, arrives too late.
Sakshi Tanwar’s character is a rare highlight. Although her Maya Sarabhai-like accent takes time to settle, her coronation scene gives her a strong finish.
The cinematography deserves credit, with aerial and indoor shots capturing royal aesthetics beautifully. The regal costumes by Abu Jani Khosla elevate the visual appeal—though Bhumi’s wardrobe fails to reflect her CEO status.
Performances
Among the cast, Ishaan Khatter steals the show. His performance reflects charm, flair, and emotional depth.
From dance to horse-riding, he embodies royal swagger with ease. Sakshi Tanwar, too, leaves an impact, growing into her role with poise and strength.
Vihaan Samat and Kavya Trehan’s characters deserved more screen time as their subplots were among the more interesting. Standout supporting performances include Sumukhi Suresh, Zeenat Aman, and Udit Arora, who bring consistency and charisma to their roles.
However, the most underwhelming performance comes from Bhumi Pednekar. Her character lacks coherence, and her constant overacting makes scenes hard to digest.
Considering her past success in Dum Laga Ke Haisha and Sonchiriya, her performance here is disappointing. Her styling further detracts from the character’s credibility as a successful CEO.
Final Verdict
The Royals is a visual spectacle with a promising setup but ultimately lets down viewers with a shallow script and inconsistent characters.
It tries to be India’s answer to Bridgerton, but lacks the emotional weight and narrative elegance. While some episodes end on a high note and the palace drama keeps viewers somewhat invested, the series overall struggles to deliver on its promise.
With occasional flashes of brilliance and some standout performances, The Royals ends up being an okayish one-time watch. The royal glamour is there, but the soul gets lost in translation.
