The Royals Review: Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar lead a breezy and lighthearted rom-com full of clichés and inspirations

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Brief:

Under the guidance of directors Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, the captivating series “The Royals” explores the fusion of ancient Indian royalty with contemporary bustle. This intriguing production features a talented cast including Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, Sakshi Tanwar, Vihaan Samat, Zeenat Aman, Nora Fatehi, and more distinguished actors.

Plot:

In this tale, we find Aviraaj (Ishaan Khatter), a prince who reluctantly ascends to the throne of Morpur following his father Yuvanath’s (Milind Soman) demise. Unlike his brother Digvijay (Vihaan Samat), Aviraaj isn’t particularly enthusiastic about his royal duties. However, with the family’s finances in a dire state, he’s compelled to help manage The Royal B&B, a project by WorkPotato spearheaded by Sophia (Bhumi Pednekar). This ambitious woman aims to offer ordinary people an extraordinary opportunity to live like royals alongside them. A romantic tension ignites between Aviraaj and Sophia, despite their contrasting backgrounds. However, complications arise when Sophia’s former partner Kunal (Udit Arora), co-founder of WorkPotato, and Aviraaj’s ex Ayesha (Nora Fatehi), a wealthy heiress from another royal family, stir up trouble intentionally. The story unfolds as we await the resolution of whether Aviraaj and Sophia find love and whether Sophia succeeds in her mission of providing commoners with a taste of royal living.

In addition to the main character, other significant figures also play crucial roles in the story. Sakshi Tanwar portrays Rani Maa, Aviraaj’s mother, who is determined for her son to marry the royal princess Ayesha to escape their financial troubles. Similarly, Zeenat Aman, as Aviraaj’s grandmother, shares this goal. Dino Morea takes on the role of Maharaja Salauddin, who enlightens Sophia about the hardships faced by royal families. Kavya Trehan is cast as Jennie, Aviraaj’s sister, who is still finding her way in life. Lisa Mishra plays Sophia’s friend and coworker, assisting Jennie in making a crucial life decision. Digvijay pursues his long-held interest in cooking throughout the story.

What Works for The Royals:

The Royals is a delightful, stress-free series that doesn’t try to be anything more than it is. It’s playful and designed solely for entertainment, and it succeeds in doing so. The visuals are striking, featuring magnificent palaces and vibrant costumes. The storyline maintains an engaging pace, with each episode moving smoothly without feeling slow. In terms of what it sets out to be – a fun, escapist romantic comedy with royal themes – there’s not much to fault. It’s the kind of show you watch when you want to unwind, and it accomplishes that effortlessly. The strong performances and captivating chemistry between the leads also keep viewers engaged throughout the first season.

What Doesn’t Work for The Royals:

The program seems shallow, as it relies heavily on well-worn tropes such as romantic pairings of opposites, conflicts arising from exes, family interference, and tidy resolutions that seem too convenient. Although not entirely unsatisfying, it fails to offer surprises or delve deeper into its characters or subjects. The issues at hand, like the monetary struggles of a royal family, appear insubstantial, and the show overlooks opportunities to examine the struggle between tradition and contemporary life more profoundly. It’s entertaining but forgettable, lacking the emotional impact needed to make an impression beyond the end credits.

Watch The Royals Trailer

Performances in The Royals:

The cast stands out, infusing charm into the familiar tale. Ishaan Khatter portrays Aviraaj with an effortless coolness and charisma that’s delightful to watch. Bhumi Pednekar’s Sophia is feisty and relatable, and her chemistry with Ishaan sparks. Sakshi Tanwar skillfully plays Aviraaj’s mother, making her intriguing character come alive. Zeenat Aman remains as elegant as ever. Udit Arora as Kunal masterfully balances vulnerability and pettiness, adding depth to his character beyond being Sophia’s ex. Vihaan Samat, as Digvijay, is quiet yet strong, with a story equally captivating as Aviraaj and Sophia’s. Nora Fatehi portrays Ayesha with glamour. Other actors like Kavya Trehan, Dino Morea, Chunky Panday, Lisa Mishra, and Sumukhi Suresh contribute to the plot with their strong performances.

Final Verdict:

The Royal film offers precisely what it claims: a relaxing, visually captivating romantic comedy ideal for leisurely viewing. While it doesn’t break new ground, its predictable storyline and shallow development limit its potential greatness. However, the endearing acting, particularly from Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, combined with its cheerful tone make it an enjoyable diversion.

You can now watch The Royals on Netflix. 

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2025-05-09 10:22