Lisa Mishra opens up about landing challenging role in The Royals
Singer and actress
Lisa Mishra
is all set to captivate audiences with her role in the
drama series
'
The Royals
'. While fans are excited to see Lisa in a fresh avatar, the journey to landing the role of 'Niki' was anything but easy.
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Lisa recently opened up about the intense
audition process
she went through to bag this pivotal part.
Lisa revealed that she underwent several rounds of auditions before finally being cast as Niki.
The casting process tested her
emotional range
, adaptability, and on-screen presence, and she rose to the challenge each time.
'It was a long casting journey,' Lisa shared. 'I had to really push myself out of my comfort zone.
The character of Niki is layered, stylish, and emotionally complex. I remember going through multiple rounds of auditions, each one different than the last. But I think the team saw something in me, a version of Niki that felt real. It wasn't easy, but it was worth it.'
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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Hindustan Times
Udit Arora reacts to criticism against The Royals, calls Bhumi Pednekar getting trolled ‘unfortunate'
Netflix's 2025 romantic comedy-drama series The Royals, starring Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, has faced significant backlash from both Indian royal families and viewers. Beyond the royal critique, the series received mixed to negative reactions from audiences. While some praised the show's aesthetics and Ishaan's performance, many criticised the storyline for being weak and the characters for lacking depth. Bhumi Pednekar's portrayal, in particular, was labelled as "unbearable" by some viewers. (Also Read: The Royals season 2 announced, creator Rangita Pritish Nandy says they listened to both 'good and ugly' feedback) Now, in an exclusive conversation with Hindustan Times, Udit Arora, who essayed the role of Kunal, Bhumi's business partner in the series, reacted to the controversy surrounding the series and also defended Bhumi, who has faced significant trolling on social media for her performance. Recently, Baroda's Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad slammed the portrayal of royal families in the show, and before this, heritage platform Royal Fables called out Netflix for misinterpreting modern-day royals in the series. Reacting to the backlash and criticism, Udit said, "We never said it's based on a true story, so I don't know who is having a problem with what. Honestly, I have not followed any news on that, so I have no idea what they are comparing it to and what aspect they are taking from the show and saying it's wrong. Because it's a fictional show at the end of the day and it's there for entertainment purpose. It's a satire on the lives of the royal families. So I think it's pretty clear so I don't know what's the problem with that actually." A post shared by Udit Arora (@justudit) Udit spoke about the harsh criticism Bhumi had to go through for her performance and said, "Every artiste on the set goes out with the attention of doing something good, and we give our best. People may like or dislike whatever they want, there's no hold on that. As much as we are exposing ourselves to the praise, we are also exposing ourselves to the criticism. It has also gone to another level, being behind the screen and typing what you like. So I have my own reservations on that. She has given her heart and soul to the project and is giving her 100%, being there with everyone. I think she is a brilliant actor. So people can like or dislike whatever they want, it's upto them." When asked if he found the harsh comments against Bhumi unfair, keeping in mind that actors have become easy targets for trolls on social media, Udit said, "In the age of social media, people can do whatever they want. I don't know who these people are, and they need to grow up and have a life, honestly. It's just very unfortunate. But at the end of the day, I think it should not be taken too seriously because they are who they are, you can't give too much importance to their opinions. They are just noise. So I think every actor needs to focus on what they are doing, and even if there's a bump on the road, it's absolutely fine, you can move ahead. As a community, we need to support each other. As humans, we need to support and be kind to each other. So, hatred moves faster than love. So I think we need better support and love for everyone." Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana and written by Neha Veena Sharma, the series follows the story of a financially struggling royal family in modern-day India, whose fortunes take an unexpected turn when the heir teams up with a hospitality entrepreneur to revive their ancestral palace as a luxury resort. The romantic comedy-drama, also starring Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Vihaan Samat, Dino Morea, and Milind Soman, has now been renewed for a second season despite the criticism.
News18
2 days ago
- News18
Bhumi Pednekar Serves Summer Bridal Inspiration In A Saffron Floral Lehenga
Last Updated: Bhumi Pednekar turned heads in a saffron and pink lehenga by Mahima Mahajan. She shared the pictures on her social media. Bhumi Pednekar is currently basking in the success of her romantic drama, The Royals. The actor played the role of Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, an entrepreneur, in this Netflix series. She shared the screen with Ishaan Khatter. Amidst the success, Bhumi has not stopped from serving looks on her social media. For her recent look, she left her fans stunned as she opted for a saffron lehenga. Taking to her Instagram, Bhumi Pednekar shared a series of pictures of herself in a stunning saffron floral lehenga. The floral embroidery made the lehenga a perfect pick for all summer and spring festivities. Sharing the pictures, she wrote, 'Just some bling for the feed." Take a look at the post shared by Bhumi here. Bhumi turned heads in a custom Mahima Mahajan creation, called the Wahida lehenga. Made from organza, the lehenga set featured a dreamy palette of kesar (saffron) and soft pink. The set came with a voluminous skirt that was adorned with bold floral embroidery, swirling leaf motifs, and intricate threadwork. The graceful silhouette struck the perfect balance between drama and sophistication. She paired the lehenga skirt with a matching blouse. The blouse was hand-embroidered with shimmering sequins, mirror accents, and delicate thread detailing. The cropped and structured design highlighted Bhumi's sculpted frame. Styled by Nidhi Jeswani, Bhumi paired with the lehenga with a matching flowing dupatta. For the accessories, Bhumi opted for statement earrings from Golden Window and a striking cuff by Ishhaara. These carefully picked accessories brought out the beauty of the lehenga rather than overpowering it. For the glam, she opted for a soft glam look. She added a healthy dose of blush for that gorgeous flushed look. She added a complementary peach shade on her lips. She sealed her look with a tiny round bindi for a traditional touch, while her sleek, middle-parted bun offered a refined contrast, ensuring all eyes stayed on the lehenga and those exquisite jewels. On the work front, Bhumi was also seen in Mere Husband Ki Biwi, which was released earlier this year. She shared the screen with Arjun Kapoor and Rakul Preet Singh. She will be next seen in Daldal. First Published: June 01, 2025, 17:29 IST
NDTV
2 days ago
- NDTV
"Utter Nonsense": A Royal Trouble For Netflix Show 'The Royals'
New Delhi: Netflix web series 'The Royals' has run into royal trouble. Members of erstwhile royal families in different parts of India have criticised the way royal households have been portrayed in the Ishaan Khatter-Bhumi Pednekar-starrer. They say the show trivialises and stereotypes royal families, even though many members of such families run successful businesses and contribute to society in several ways. Leading the charge is Radhikaraje Gaekwad, who is from the erstwhile royal family of Wankaner. In an Instagram post titled, The Royal Ignore, she has said that one would imagine that the royals of India "would have a better chance of surviving an on-screen portrayal" such as the one in the Netflix show. "What began as a post-independence, politically motivated propaganda of stereotypical Rajas soaked in whiskey and profligacy and Ranis in chiffons and pearls, continues to define us," she said. Ms Gaekwad has said India's independence saw the dissolution of a centuries-old, internationally recognised Indian monarchy. "Sardar Patel correctly referred to it as a 'Bloodless Revolution'. 565 princely states controlling over 40 per cent of pre-independence India handed over their homes, lands and identities for the creation of a united, democratic country," she wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Radhikaraje Gaekwad (@radhikaraje) Ms Gaekwad said the post-Independence years were an "era of uncertainty for families that had lived for centuries with privileges". "Undoubtedly there were a few bad royal apples and I make no excuse for them, yet while monarchs rose and fell in China and younger empires such as France, Russia and Austria, India has the unique distinction of being one of the only countries where royals reigned for centuries without any known instances of revolt or assassination. And when the time came, they relinquished their kingdoms with dignity," she wrote. "Yet after all these decades, our own country continues to view us - all 565 families and a few thousand nobility, with an odd mixture of awe, ignorance and distaste. The real 'Royals' in the meanwhile have rolled up their sleeves and are running India's best known music festivals, museums, hotels, even constituencies and states, an impressive number being the ladies of the house - Gwalior, Jaipur, Bikaner and Kotah to name a few. Ouch to purdah and patriarchy," she said. Ms Gaekwad wrote that royal families proudly sustain age-old traditions and festivals like the Dussehra of Mysore and the Holi of Jaipur and Udaipur that the world flocks to see, and maintain old forts that represent unique schools of art and architecture like Kishangarh, Jaisalmer and Jodhpur. "Most of us have no official role in society today, no privileges or official titles, yet we remain relevant and respected in our homeland, included in festivities and affectionately referred to as a family elder -Bapji, Bapu, Daata or Ma Saheb. For the locals, political representatives have come and gone, only the Mahal and the families that reside within have remained constant, their unchallenged guardians. "Even today royal funerals bring old and young alike from faraway villages, their lips parched and eyes moist, praying for a last glimpse of their departed elder, nostalgic of a bygone era. The young royals, too, are returning to their roots armed with degrees from universities around the world. They proudly straddle the two worlds, speak their mother tongue, wear their turbans but work to make their heritage sustainable, relatable, accessible. For they know if not them, no one else can," she wrote. The post has received immense support from descendants of erstwhile royal families. Yashodhara Ghorpade, former Maharani of Sandur, told NDTV, "Royals today are successfully running businesses, schools and hospitals. We are preserving folk art and craft traditions. I have been running schools for years now." Another show on JioHotstar, Kull: The Legacy of the Raisingghs, has also been caught in the row for its portrayal of royals. The Phaltan family of Maharashtra prides itself on the fact that Sai Bhonsale, the wife of Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, is from the family. Members of the family say they fully support Ms Gaekward's views. Vijayadevi Rane, the wife of former Goa Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane, told NDTV that every member of a royal family "was not useless". The Rane family traces its roots to Sattari in Goa and is a part of the erstwhile Maratha royalty. "Everyone was not useless. They laid the foundation for today's developments. Most rulers started schools, hospitals and colleges. My husband was Goa Chief Minister for 18 years. He has been a successful legislator, my son is in politics. We are actively contributing to nation-building. This is utter nonsense. Everyone does not lead a debauched life," said Ms Rane, who is from the royal family of Sandur. The Netflix series was partly shot in Rajasthan's capital Jaipur. It is a fictional account of an erstwhile family struggling with financial troubles. Interestingly, among the current descendants of royal families of Jaipur is Rajasthan Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari. A successful politician, she rose from the grassroots before being chosen for the Number 2 position in the state. There is, of course, another viewpoint: some feel the web series is a fictional portrayal and should not be taken so seriously. Royals, however, are not amused and fear that the stereotypes projected in the show may impact their image in the public.
