The Royals – A Glittering Yet Shallow Dive into Modern Royalty

Netflix’s newest Indian original, The Royals, released on May 9, 2025, is a sparkling blend of romance, satire, and dynastic drama. Positioned as a modern, glamorous reinterpretation of monarchy in contemporary India, the show attempts to bridge the stylistic opulence of series like Bridgerton and The Crown with the bold melodrama of mainstream Bollywood. With a star-studded cast, elaborate production design, and familiar romantic tropes, The Royals promises much—but how much does it actually deliver?


Plot Synopsis: A Modern Throne and the Woman Who Shook It

Set in the fictional royal estate of Morpur in Rajasthan, The Royals follows the story of Aviraaj Singh, the reluctant heir to a crumbling royal legacy, and Sophia Shekhar, an ambitious and sharp CEO of a hospitality startup. The narrative begins with the unexpected death of Maharaja Yuvnath Singh, played with stately elegance by veteran actor Milind Soman. This tragedy forces Aviraaj, played by Ishaan Khatter, to return from his London-based corporate life and assume responsibilities he had tried to escape.

Meanwhile, Sophia, portrayed by Bhumi Pednekar, is on a mission to transform palaces into luxury homestays to revive India’s historical grandeur for modern travelers. Her startup identifies Morpur Palace as a prime opportunity—but she didn’t anticipate the prickly, disinterested, and arrogant Aviraaj Singh standing in the way. What follows is a classic enemies-to-lovers arc as both characters are pushed into close proximity, battling not only family traditions and class politics but also their growing attraction.

As the storyline progresses, viewers witness the unraveling of family secrets, boardroom battles, royal conspiracies, and romantic interludes. The show toys with a variety of themes—heritage vs modernity, love vs duty, and the burden of legacy.


Characters and Performances: Glimmering Stars in a Dim Script

Bhumi Pednekar is undeniably the emotional backbone of the show. Her portrayal of Sophia—a modern, no-nonsense woman from a middle-class background—is powerful yet nuanced. She brings credibility and warmth to her role, effectively communicating the struggle of a woman climbing the socio-economic ladder while facing systemic patriarchy from a royal household.

Ishaan Khatter as Aviraaj Singh is charming and physically fits the role of a young prince, but his character arc remains underdeveloped. At times, his performance leans heavily on charisma rather than complexity, with emotional beats feeling surface-level. While he has great chemistry with Bhumi, the writing doesn’t always give him room to expand beyond the classic “brooding aristocrat” mold.

The supporting cast includes some scene-stealing performances. Sakshi Tanwar as Rani Padmaja, the widowed queen mother, offers a layered depiction of maternal strength and tradition-bound restraint. Zeenat Aman, making a graceful return to the screen as Rajmata Indira, brings old-school Bollywood grandeur to every frame. Dino Morea and Nora Fatehi provide additional glamour as rival cousins and business stakeholders who spice up the palace dynamics with intrigue and backstabbing.


Production Design and Visual Aesthetic: A Visual Treat

One of the strongest aspects of The Royals is its aesthetic appeal. Filmed extensively across palatial locations in Rajasthan and recreated royal sets in Mumbai, the cinematography captures the breathtaking splendor of Indian heritage. Marble corridors, Mughal arches, silk drapes, vintage chandeliers, and hand-painted ceilings create a canvas rich in texture and detail.

The costumes deserve special praise. Each character’s wardrobe is meticulously designed, from Sophia’s power suits and pastel saris to Aviraaj’s regal bandhgalas and linen shirts. The series takes full advantage of royal pageantry, incorporating traditional Rajasthani jewelry, formal durbars, polo tournaments, and lavish feasts.

Even the soundtrack, anchored by a nostalgic remix of the classic “Tu Tu Hai Wahi,” adds a layer of emotional nostalgia and melodrama, enhancing both romantic and reflective moments.


Direction and Storytelling: All Shine, Some Substance

Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, The Royals is an ambitious effort that tries to blend romance, humor, and socio-political commentary. The direction captures both the intimate emotional scenes and the spectacle of royal life with skill, but the writing occasionally struggles to match the show’s grand vision.

The pacing is uneven. While the first few episodes invest heavily in world-building and character introductions, the mid-section drags with repetitive scenes and clichéd dialogue. There’s a sense that the writers relied too heavily on aesthetics and tropes, without fleshing out narrative complexity. Several subplots—including palace politics, Aviraaj’s complicated relationship with his late father, and Sophia’s struggle as a woman CEO in a male-dominated world—are touched upon but not explored in sufficient depth.


Critical Reception: A Tale of Two Perspectives

The show has received mixed to moderately positive reviews from critics and audiences. Some praise it as a refreshing entry into the Indian web series space, combining escapism with style. It is especially lauded for reviving the charm of vintage Bollywood-style storytelling, complete with opulent visuals, glamorous leads, and a soapy narrative.

Others, however, criticize it for lacking originality and narrative depth. They argue that The Royals often prioritizes visual spectacle over emotional engagement, and that the characters, though well-acted, operate within predictable arcs. Many reviewers felt the show could have benefited from sharper dialogues and more nuanced socio-political commentary on monarchy, legacy, and power.

Audience reactions on social media have been largely enthusiastic about the visual richness and the chemistry between Bhumi and Ishaan. Memes, fashion breakdowns, and fan edits have flooded platforms like Instagram and Twitter, helping the series trend in its opening weekend.


Cultural Context and Impact

The release of The Royals taps into a growing interest in Indian aristocracy and dynastic legacies. In a country that officially abolished royal privileges decades ago, the fantasy of royalty continues to captivate. This series smartly uses that nostalgia while giving it a modern, millennial twist—complete with social media references, startup jargon, and gender politics.

In a broader sense, The Royals contributes to the rising trend of Indian web series that blur the lines between film and digital storytelling. Its scale and production value are on par with mainstream cinema, reflecting Netflix’s investment in high-budget Indian originals.


Final Verdict

The Royals is an eye-catching, indulgent, and well-acted drama that delivers a frothy mix of love, power, and palace intrigue. While its execution may not be flawless, and its storytelling occasionally feels hollow, it remains a highly bingeable show for those looking to escape into a world of romance, luxury, and legacy.

For viewers who enjoy shows like Made in Heaven, Dynasty, or Bridgerton, this Indian take on regal life might just be the right guilty pleasure.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

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