The Royals Series Review: A Glittering Mess of Palaces, Power, and Problematic Plot Twists

Introduction: Where Royalty Meets Chaos

Let’s talk about Netflix’s latest drama-filled drop – The Royals. It’s pitched as India’s answer to Bridgerton, only with less charm and more chaos. Set in the opulent backdrop of Rajasthan, the series attempts to merge royal grandeur with modern-day corporate hustle. With names like Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, Sakshi Tanwar, Zeenat Aman, Dino Morea, and Milind Soman, you’d expect a firecracker, right? Well… not quite.

The Premise: A Deal Fit for Drama

The series kicks off with Sophia Kanmani Shekhar (Bhumi Pednekar), a high-flying CEO prepping for the pitch of her life. While on a beach jog, she breaks into a photoshoot setup like she owns the place, only to bump into the regal Maharaj Aviraj Singh of Morpur, played by the always-dashing Ishaan Khatter. And just like that, we’re off – from flirtation to tension to a full-blown enemies-to-lovers arc. Or at least, that’s what it tries to be.

Meet the Royal Entourage

The palace of Morpur isn’t just home to Aviraj. It’s a buffet of quirky characters – Vihaan Samat as the sidelined heir Digvijay Singh, Kavya Trehan as the mysteriously evolving princess Divyaranjini, Sakshi Tanwar as the regal matriarch, and a smattering of senior legends and fresh faces including Zeenat Aman, Chunky Pandey, Sumukhi Suresh, and even Nora Fatehi.

It sounds promising, right? So where does it all go wrong?

Characters That Confuse More Than Compel

Here’s the tea – Ishaan Khatter brings serious royal vibes. He’s charming, slick, and looks like he walked straight out of a Manish Malhotra catalog. But even his magic can’t fully save a character that’s often written inconsistently. One minute he’s deep and thoughtful, the next he’s hopping into bed with whoever crosses his path.

Bhumi Pednekar, on the other hand, is a letdown. Her character is meant to be a boss-lady with grit, but she comes off more like a parody – overacting in almost every frame, with expressions that just don’t land. And let’s not even get started on her wardrobe. For a CEO, she’s styled more like a confused fashion intern.

Writing and Direction: Half-Baked Royalty

The script had all the ingredients: drama, politics, love, betrayal, and lavish palaces. But somewhere between idea and execution, things got messy. Written by a team of five (Neha Sharma, Vishnu Sinha, Annukampa Harsh, Ishita Pritish Nandy, and Rangita Pritish Nandy) and directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, The Royals has moments of brilliance that are quickly overshadowed by erratic pacing and clunky transitions.

Character arcs shift too abruptly. For instance, Divyaranjini’s coming-out moment feels tacked on, with zero buildup. Digvijay’s shift from palace politics to cooking? Cool idea, poor delivery. And the central romance between Aviraj and Sophia? Forced and flimsy at best.

Shining Moments: Let’s Give Credit Where It’s Due

Still, there are sparks amid the haze. Sakshi Tanwar is a class act. She commands every scene, and once you get used to her slightly exaggerated dialogue delivery (think Maya Sarabhai meets palace queen), she’s a delight. Her coronation scene? One of the show’s strongest emotional beats.

Zeenat Aman, though underutilized, exudes elegance. Vihaan Samat and Kavya Trehan show great promise and deserved way more screen time. And Sumukhi Suresh, with her effortless comic timing, adds some much-needed levity.

Cinematography & Costumes: Regal Feels and Royal Flaws

Visually, the show is a treat. Drone shots of Jaipur’s palaces, golden-lit halls, and wide-angle views of royal life – the cinematography deserves a standing ovation. The production team has clearly poured money into making everything look grand.

The costumes? A mixed bag. Abu Jani Sandeep Khosla’s designs shine on most of the cast – especially Ishaan and Sakshi – but Bhumi’s outfits often feel misplaced and clumsy. Imagine showing up to a royal dinner in office wear from 2015 – yeah, that bad.

Dialogues: Some Hit, Some Miss

The dialogues bounce between poetic and painfully cheesy. While Ishaan gets the snappy one-liners and royal declarations, Bhumi’s lines often feel like overrehearsed TED talks. Still, there are moments – especially between the older royals – where the writing crackles with wit and nostalgia.

The Romance: Love or Just Lust?

Let’s address the elephant in the room – the central love story. It never quite takes off. The chemistry between Ishaan and Bhumi is lukewarm, and their conflicts feel more like badly scripted arguments than heartfelt disagreements. The whole “fling to forever” narrative just doesn’t land.

The Verdict: Is It Worth Your Time?

Here’s the bottom line – The Royals tries to blend Bridgerton’s swoon with Indian sensibilities, but ends up being a royal hot mess. It’s not entirely unwatchable. If you love palace intrigue, stylish wardrobes, and shirtless princes, you’ll find enough here to keep you mildly entertained.

But if you’re looking for depth, character growth, or a plot that doesn’t meander like a lost elephant in the desert – you might be disappointed.

Pros:

• Ishaan Khatter’s effortless screen presence

• Sakshi Tanwar’s commanding performance

• Breathtaking visuals and location shots

• Royal costumes (for the most part)

Cons:

• Weak character arcs

• Overacting by key cast (especially Bhumi)

• Rushed subplots and uneven pacing

• Lack of emotional payoff

Final Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

A beautiful shell with not enough substance inside. It’s a one-time watch at best, but don’t expect it to live in your memory for too long.

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Conclusion

The Royals is like biting into a perfectly baked croissant only to find it hollow inside. You want to love it – the cast is glamorous, the sets are stunning, the soundtrack is decent. But somewhere along the way, it loses the very heart it promises. It could’ve been India’s answer to Bridgerton, but ends up as a half-hearted attempt weighed down by shallow writing and inconsistent performances.