Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of Baroda takes a dig at Ishaan Khatter-Bhumi Pednekar's The Royals: ‘The Royal Ignore'

Indian Express

a day ago

When Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar's The Royals premiered on Netflix on May 9, it sparked varied reactions from viewers. While some appreciated the series' visual appeal, others criticised its storyline. Now, Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad of Baroda has publicly criticised the show for misrepresentation of modern-day royals. Taking to her Instagram, Radhikaraje penned a long note emphasizing that many royals are active contributors to India's cultural and social landscape. She expressed her disappointment in how the ladies of the royal family were presented on screen.
Taking to her Instagram on Thursday, Radhikaraje Gaekwad shared a long note with the headline, 'The Royal Ignore.' She further wrote, 'One would imagine the royals of India, a community abundantly chronicled, photographed, biographed, and today well positioned in a range of arenas from politics, hospitality, to magazine covers, would have a better chance of surviving an on screen portrayal such as the one in The Royals. Alas, that was not be and such is our fate, since 1947.'
Radhikaraje said stereotyping Rajas soaked in whiskey and profligacy and Ranis in chiffons and pearls, was a politically motivated propaganda that began post independence and unfortunately continues to define them, hinting at the portrayals of the royals in the Netflix series.
A post shared by Radhikaraje Gaekwad (@radhikaraje)
Defending her community, Radhikaraje Gaekwad went on to list several good things the royals did both pre- and post-independence.
She wrote, 'In truth India's independence saw the dissolution of centuries old, internationally recognised Indian monarchy. Sardar Patel correctly referred 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. Apart from a handful that resisted and disappointedly left.'
Calling it an era of uncertainty for families that had lived for centuries with privileges, Radhikaraje wrote, 'They had for most parts administered their princely states, many the size of smaller European countries, and often more prosperous too with benevolence and acumen. And history is proof of this.'
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She added, '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 time came, they relinquished their kingdoms with dignity.'
Radhikaraje Gaekwad highlighted the time when Indian royals faced the abolition of allowance in return for giving up their sovereignty, going through a difficult time in 1971.
Taking a dig at The Royals, Radhikaraje wrote, 'India has also seen some of their finest statesmen, diplomats, wildlife conservationists, bureaucrats, army officers, educationists, sportsmen, hoteliers and entrepreneurs emerge from royalty and today our places, forts and museums are perhaps the last few sentinels of India's undiluted, apolitical patronage and cultural history, all maintained in our personal capacity. 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.'
She added, '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!'
At last, taking a dig at Ishaan Khatter's character in the series, Radhikaraje wrote, 'The young royals too are returning to their roots armed with degrees from universities around the world. They proudly staddle 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.'
Radhikaraje Gaekwad's post drew widespread praise for the grace with which she expressed her opinion. Her note came after the makers announced a second season of the series, sparking debate online.