Visually, the series is a feast. The opulent production design captures the grandeur of royal life, with well-crafted sets and well-designed costumes that exude authenticity. At one point we see real-life rockstar designers Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla walk the ramp with the show’s characters, so naturally this costume drama benefits from their supervision. Coming back to the setup, The Royals, features a juxtaposition of regal heritage with contemporary business challenges. These dual worlds are portrayed with aesthetic finesse, providing a rich backdrop for the narrative. But the writing just never rises to the occasion.
Director Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana’s series seems to consistently falter in its storytelling. The writing lacks depth, failing to flesh out characters beyond surface-level traits. The biggest miss is the show’s dialogue. In a bid to blend rom-com style exposition with new-world ‘Shark Tank’ lingo, the writers seem to get lost in clever dialogue lines that convey little meaning or emotions from the characters.
Lead actors Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, portraying Prince turned Maharaja Aviraaj Singh and CEO Sophia Kanmani Shekhar respectively, are therefore constrained by underdeveloped roles that do not allow them to showcase their full range. Khatter’s charm is evident, but his character’s arc feels rushed and unconvincing. You can’t make sense of the fact that, why is the young Maharaja so keen on going shirtless at every given opportunity. Whether its horse riding or romance, Aviraaj can’t seem to keep his ‘lakhon ki shirts’ on his body. Pednekar’s portrayal of a driven entrepreneur lacks the nuance required to make her character relatable and compelling. She looks and dresses like a million bucks, but her character never quite displays the gravitas to anchor the viewers’ feelings. It doesn’t help that her character’s company is called WorkPotato. Witticisms be damned. Also, we get that the lead pair is supposed to have an ‘iffy’ chemistry, with their chalk and cheese personalities, but Khatter and Pednekar never quite convince you that their characters are made for each other.
The narrative attempts to blend romantic comedy with drama, but the execution feels disjointed. The directors’ vision, while aiming for a fresh take on royal narratives, ends up treading familiar ground without offering new insights. We’ve seen this contrast of rich versus common in films like Khoobsurat (2014) and Dil Dhadakne Do (2015), where the subjects were explored with a lot more guile. But Netflix’s new series, The Royals, leans heavily on clichés, and the treatment of the storyline feels repetitive, lacking the originality needed to engage viewers fully.
Supporting characters, such as the eccentric but loveable grandmother Ma Sahiba (Zeenat Aman) and palace manager Girdhari (Jagdish Purohit) provide occasional comic relief, but they are not enough to elevate the overall experience. The series introduces subplots that are either underexplored or abruptly concluded, leading to a fragmented viewing experience. Case in point the dynamics between Padmaja (Sakshi Tanwar) and Ranjit (Chunky Pandey) or the sibling bonding between Digvijay (Vihaan Samat) and Jinnie (Kavya Trehan) or many such dynamics just don’t get the time or development they deserve.
The Royals presents a promising concept with its unique premise and lavish visuals. However, the series is let down by shallow character development, lacklustre writing, and a treatment that fails to break new ground. While it offers moments of charm and humour, these are insufficient to compensate for its shortcomings. For viewers seeking a light-hearted, visually appealing series without demanding depth, The Royals might suffice. However, those looking for a more substantive narrative may find it a royal bore.
The Royals: Public Review, Cast, Plot And More