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The Star
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Get ready to swoon: Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar's chemistry in 'The Royals' leaves viewers weak-kneed
Debashine Thangevelo | Published 5 days ago At the moment, social media is abuzz with talk of 'The Royals' on Netflix. Curious about the high praise, I decided to binge the eight-part series while recuperating from a severe flu. Echoing the allure of "Bridgerton", this series delves into the captivating history of a royal family, revealing hidden love affairs, concealed family truths, and monetary difficulties. The plot, while simple and lacking significant depth, serves as a platform for the talented cast to inject considerable energy and dynamism into the narrative. Admittedly, I wasn't bowled over after two episodes, but I put aside my misgivings and continued. And I'm glad I did. The series and the characters grow on you. Episode one plays out like the pages of a Mills & Boon novel: a dreamy guy, shirt open, showcasing his chiselled features, is being filmed on a horse on the beach. The shoot is disrupted by a jogger, who defiantly cuts across the cordoned-off public area. This is how Aviraaj 'Fizzy' Singh (Ishaan Khatter) and Sophia Kanmani Shekhar (Bhumi Pednekar), the visionary CEO of Work Potato, first meet. Talk about the perfect setup for their love story, which hits many snags in the series, more so after a failed hook-up between the two. The premise centres on Sophia attempting to launch a pioneering hospitality initiative, where normal people get to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience of living in a palace like royalty. Despite the board being hesitant about this initiative, Sophia is backed by her co-founder, Kunal (Udit Arora). As fate would have it, her search for a place dovetails with Motibagh Palace in Morpur being in dire need of restoration. Aviraaj's younger brother, Yuvaraj Digvijay "Diggy" Singh (Vihaan Samat), proposes that they strike a deal with Sophia's company to save the family from financial ruin. His mother, Maharani Padmaja "Paddy" Singh (Sakshi Tanwar), grandmother Rajmata Maji Saheba Bhagyashree Devi (Zeenat Aman) and younger sister Yuvarani Divyaranjini "Jinnie" Singh (Kavya Trehan) are aligned with the proposal. Of course, when Aviraaj returns home for his father's will and to take the reins, he is not a fan of the idea. And he is combative every step of the way, which riles Sophia as her career is on the line if the venture fails. Khatter, who streamers would remember from 'The Perfect Couple' last year, is perfect for his princely role. Confident and charismatic, his portrayal also includes a subtle but expected arrogance. Pednekar is a ravishing beauty who holds her own against him. The connection between them is electrifying, and fans can't stop raving about it. With admirable finesse and grace, she embodies her role as a lady boss, and her undeniably sexy wardrobe is simply stunning. Given her experience in social dramas, her emotional range is off the charts. The supporting cast adds a wonderful dimension to the storytelling, with Diggy being an aspiring chef, Jinnie deciding to come out of the closet, and Paddy finally being true to herself after spending much of her life covering up one of the biggest family secrets - her late husband's secret boyfriend. Meanwhile, Aviraaj is conflicted about taking over from his dad, especially when so much was left unsaid, as he resented him for breaking up their family. "The Royals" is a series that evokes strong reactions, landing squarely in either the love or loath category. Yet, those who embrace its romantic entanglements, dramatic flair, intricate deceptions, power dynamics, and characters' yearning for authenticity will find themselves captivated by its lavish visuals and surprising plot developments. The cliffhanger ending strongly suggests the promise of a second season. Rating: 3/5 *** solid and enjoyable, though not groundbreaking. Below is another similar series to check out: "Bridgerton" I would suggest binge-watching all the available series, ahead of season four, which drops on the platform next year. The sweeping tale is set during the Regency era in England, where eight close-knit siblings of the powerful Bridgerton family attempt to find love. The casting, premise and direction from this Shondaland offering will sweep you off your feet.
IOL News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Get ready to swoon: Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar's chemistry in 'The Royals' leaves viewers weak-kneed
Ishaan Khatter as Aviraaj "Fizzy" Singh and Bhumi Pednekar as Sophia Kanmani Shekhar in a scene from 'The Royals'. Image: Netflix At the moment, social media is abuzz with talk of 'The Royals' on Netflix. Curious about the high praise, I decided to binge the eight-part series while recuperating from a severe flu. Echoing the allure of "Bridgerton", this series delves into the captivating history of a royal family, revealing hidden love affairs, concealed family truths, and monetary difficulties. The plot, while simple and lacking significant depth, serves as a platform for the talented cast to inject considerable energy and dynamism into the narrative. Admittedly, I wasn't bowled over after two episodes, but I put aside my misgivings and continued. And I'm glad I did. The series and the characters grow on you. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Episode one plays out like the pages of a Mills & Boon novel: a dreamy guy, shirt open, showcasing his chiselled features, is being filmed on a horse on the beach. The shoot is disrupted by a jogger, who defiantly cuts across the cordoned-off public area. This is how Aviraaj 'Fizzy' Singh (Ishaan Khatter) and Sophia Kanmani Shekhar (Bhumi Pednekar), the visionary CEO of Work Potato, first meet. Talk about the perfect setup for their love story, which hits many snags in the series, more so after a failed hook-up between the two. The premise centres on Sophia attempting to launch a pioneering hospitality initiative, where normal people get to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience of living in a palace like royalty. Despite the board being hesitant about this initiative, Sophia is backed by her co-founder, Kunal (Udit Arora). As fate would have it, her search for a place dovetails with Motibagh Palace in Morpur being in dire need of restoration. Aviraaj's younger brother, Yuvaraj Digvijay "Diggy" Singh (Vihaan Samat), proposes that they strike a deal with Sophia's company to save the family from financial ruin. His mother, Maharani Padmaja "Paddy" Singh (Sakshi Tanwar), grandmother Rajmata Maji Saheba Bhagyashree Devi (Zeenat Aman) and younger sister Yuvarani Divyaranjini "Jinnie" Singh (Kavya Trehan) are aligned with the proposal. Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar and Udit Arora co-star in 'The Royals'. Image: Netflix Of course, when Aviraaj returns home for his father's will and to take the reins, he is not a fan of the idea. And he is combative every step of the way, which riles Sophia as her career is on the line if the venture fails. Khatter, who streamers would remember from 'The Perfect Couple' last year, is perfect for his princely role. Confident and charismatic, his portrayal also includes a subtle but expected arrogance. Pednekar is a ravishing beauty who holds her own against him. The connection between them is electrifying, and fans can't stop raving about it. With admirable finesse and grace, she embodies her role as a lady boss, and her undeniably sexy wardrobe is simply stunning. Given her experience in social dramas, her emotional range is off the charts. The cast of 'The Royals' in a scene from the series. Image: Netflix The supporting cast adds a wonderful dimension to the storytelling, with Diggy being an aspiring chef, Jinnie deciding to come out of the closet, and Paddy finally being true to herself after spending much of her life covering up one of the biggest family secrets - her late husband's secret boyfriend. Meanwhile, Aviraaj is conflicted about taking over from his dad, especially when so much was left unsaid, as he resented him for breaking up their family. "The Royals" is a series that evokes strong reactions, landing squarely in either the love or loath category. Yet, those who embrace its romantic entanglements, dramatic flair, intricate deceptions, power dynamics, and characters' yearning for authenticity will find themselves captivated by its lavish visuals and surprising plot developments. The cliffhanger ending strongly suggests the promise of a second season. Rating: 3/5 *** solid and enjoyable, though not groundbreaking. Below is another similar series to check out: "Bridgerton" I would suggest binge-watching all the available series, ahead of season four, which drops on the platform next year. The sweeping tale is set during the Regency era in England, where eight close-knit siblings of the powerful Bridgerton family attempt to find love. The casting, premise and direction from this Shondaland offering will sweep you off your feet.
Indian Express
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Bhumi Pednekar: ‘The Royals is a mix of modern-day Bridgerton and Schitt's Creek'
Actor Bhumi Pednekar says her debut web series The Royals is a blend of modern-day Bridgerton and Schitt's Creek, capturing the dysfunctional dynamics of a royal family with a touch of comedy and romance. Billed as a modern-day rom-com, the Netflix show stars Ishaan Khatter as Aviraaj Singh, a reluctant new-age prince, and Pednekar as Sophia Shekhar, a self-made CEO of a start-up, who team up to transform the former's haveli into a luxury B&B experience. As their journey unfolds, viewers can expect a rollercoaster ride of romance, comedy and a whole lot of drama, reads the official synopsis. 'It is (like) a modern-day Bridgerton because of the setting and the world that's been created, but definitely a bit of Schitt's Creek because there's the royal family and the dysfunctionality and everything that happens with them. But I grew up reading Mills & Boon (romance novels), and I'm a very, very big fan of it. This (The Royals) is a very classic boy-girl romance. It's just that there's no damsel-in-distress. It's refreshing,' Pednekar told PTI in an interview. Bridgerton is a British costume drama set in the 19th century's Regency era, whereas the Canadian show Schitt's Creek follows the trials and tribulations of the formerly wealthy Rose family. Both series are available on Netflix. Also Read | Zeenat Aman heaps praise on The Royals co-star Ishaan Khatter: 'He exhibited the courtesies and grace I thought had become virtues of the past' The Royals is created by Rangita and Ishita Pritish Nandy and directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana. While romance is at the core of The Royals, the series ambitiously delves into larger themes such as privilege, power dynamics, and the complexities of contemporary life, including the entourage trend and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). Calling AI a 'disruptive' tool, Bhumi Pednekar said one must use this technological innovation 'responsibly'. 'You can't use it (AI) for things like, 'Create an itinerary for me because I'm going on a holiday.' It's a powerful tool… It depends on how you're using it… When it comes to the creative field, I don't know what the future is going to be like because it's evolving so fast. 'I don't think it can bring the kind of human nuance and touch that somebody writing a script can, but I don't think we are far from that. What's also lacking is that we don't have laws protecting us. There are so many loopholes; you see deep fakes. Today, on Instagram, there are so many times that a lot of AI-generated content looks so real,' the actor added. The Royals also features Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Dino Morea, Milind Soman, Chunky Panday, Vihaan Samat, Kavya Trehan, Sumukhi Suresh, Udit Arora, Lisa Mishra and Luke Kenny. Also Read | Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter on the dearth of romantic Hindi films today: 'The genre is not taken seriously' Lisa Mishra, who plays Sophia's (Pednekar) colleague Nikki, describes her character as an independent woman, a role she passionately pursued via multiple rounds of auditions. 'I've been lucky that I got launched on an incredible show by an incredible production house, Call Me Bae. I'm humbled by the fact that I've had two incredible opportunities back-to-back,' the singer-actor said. 'I want to keep pushing the boundary on what a modern Indian woman is. I represent that, both as an NRI and somebody who has been living in India for seven years. These are the roles that are suited best for me,' she added. The Royals is set to stream on Netflix on May 9.
Time of India
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bhumi Pednekar calls 'The Royals' a modern blend of ‘Bridgerton' and ‘Schitt's Creek'
Ishan and Bhumi Spotted at Café Actor Bhumi Pednekar says her debut web series "The Royals" is a blend of modern-day "Bridgerton" and "Schitt's Creek", capturing the dysfunctional dynamics of a royal family with a touch of comedy and romance. Billed as a modern-day rom-com, the Netflix show stars Ishaan Khatter as Aviraaj Singh, a reluctant new-age prince, and Pednekar as Sophia Shekhar, a self-made CEO of a start-up, who team up to transform the former's haveli into a luxury B&B their journey unfolds, viewers can expect a rollercoaster ride of romance, comedy and a whole lot of drama, reads the official synopsis."It is (like) a modern-day 'Bridgerton' because of the setting and the world that's been created, but definitely a bit of 'Schitt's Creek' because there's the royal family and the dysfunctionality and everything that happens with them."But I grew up reading 'Mills & Boon' (romance novels), and I'm a very, very big fan of it. This ('The Royals') is a very classic boy-girl romance. It's just that there's no damsel-in-distress. It's refreshing," Pednekar told PTI in an interview."Bridgerton" is a British costume drama set in the 19th century's regency era, whereas the Canadian show "Schitt's Creek" follows the trials and tribulations of the formerly wealthy Rose family. Both series are available on Netflix."The Royals" is created by Rangita and Ishita Pritish Nandy and directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana While romance is at the core of "The Royals", the series ambitiously delves into larger themes such as privilege, power dynamics, and the complexities of contemporary life, including the entourage trend and the use of artificial intelligence (AI).Calling AI a "disruptive" tool, Pednekar said one must use this technological innovation "responsibly"."You can't use it (AI) for things like, 'Create an itinerary for me because I'm going on a holiday'. It's a powerful tool... It depends on how you're using it... When it comes to the creative field, I don't know what the future is going to be like because it's evolving so fast."I don't think it can bring the kind of human nuance and touch that somebody writing a script can, but I don't think we are far from that. What's also lacking is that we don't have laws protecting us. There are so many loopholes, you see deep fakes. Today, on Instagram, there are so many times that a lot of AI-generated content looks so real," the actor added."The Royals" also features Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Dino Morea , Milind Soman, Chunky Panday, Vihaan Samat, Kavya Trehan, Sumukhi Suresh , Udit Arora, Lisa Mishra and Luke who plays Sophia's (Pednekar) colleague Nikki, describes her character as an independent woman, a role she passionately pursued via multiple rounds of auditions."I've been lucky that I got launched on an incredible show, by an incredible production house, 'Call Me Bae'. I'm humbled by the fact that I've had two incredible opportunities back-to-back," the singer-actor said."I want to keep pushing the boundary on what a modern Indian woman is. I represent that, both as an NRI and somebody who has been living in India for seven years. These are the roles that are suited best for me," she added."The Royals" is set to stream on Netflix on May 9.
