Latest news with #WorkPotato
Gulf Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Bhumi Pednekar shares how she ‘gets high' on life while shooting on set
Actress Bhumi Pednekar recently offered a glimpse into what keeps her spirits soaring on set. In a candid moment, she shared how she often 'gets high' on life while working. Taking to Instagram, Bhumi shared photos of herself from the sets, writing, 'Bun maska and chai gets me high.' In the images, the Bhakshak actress is seen enjoying tea with bun maska. In the video, Pednekar could be heard saying, 'Bread, butter, and chai ultimate.' Bhumi shared a series of photos from the sets, capturing the cozy mood of a rainy-day shoot. Along with her post, she used hashtags like #monsoons, #onset, #filming, #BhumiPednekar, and #chai — perfectly summing up her love for simple pleasures during a busy filming schedule. Professionally, the 'Badhaai Do' actress was most recently seen in the series 'The Royals,' which also starred Ishaan Khatter, Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Vihaan Samat, Dino Morea, and Milind Soman. Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, the romantic comedy centered on a once-wealthy royal family in present-day India, facing financial hardships. Their fate begins to change when the family's heir partners with a hospitality entrepreneur to transform their ancestral palace into a high-end resort. In the show, Bhumi Pednekar played Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, the CEO of Work Potato and the love interest of Fizzy. The series premiered on Netflix on May 9, 2025, and was renewed for a second season on May 28. Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India, added, 'Rom-coms have a timeless charm; they make us laugh, believe in love, and embrace the beautiful chaos that comes with it. With The Royals, we've created a modern love story that has an equally modern-day conflict. While Bridgerton and Emily in Paris showed the world how compelling romantic sagas can be, The Royals brings that sizzle and swoon to a world that's unapologetically Indian. Creators Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy said, 'With The Royals, we've mounted a romance that whips together the old-world charm of palaces and Indian royalty with glass-walled boardrooms and modern reality—where love is anything but easy.' The creators shared that the series is about two people from completely different worlds, each fighting their own battles, constantly at odds, yet irresistibly drawn to each other in ways they never expected. Bhumi is next gearing up for the release of the psychological thriller 'Daldal.' In an Instagram post, the actress had opened up about her character in the upcoming web series. Reflecting on what she described as a year-long journey, she shared her excitement and nervousness about portraying a role she considers one of the most complex and layered of her career. Indo-Asian News Service
Time of India
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Royals Season 2 OTT Release Update: When and where to expect return of Bhumi Pednekar & Ishaan Khatter's show
The Royals Season 2 OTT Release Update: Netflix's glitzy Indian rom-com is officially returning for a second season. The streamer confirmed the renewal on May 28, 2025, just weeks after the show's debut on May 9. While there's no confirmed release date yet, Netflix teased that Season 2 is 'coming soon'. When can we expect The Royals Season 2? As of now, Netflix has not announced an official release date for Season 2. However, given that Season 1 premiered on May 9, 2025, and the renewal was announced on May 28, 2025, it's reasonable to anticipate that Season 2 could arrive in mid to late 2026. Production timelines for Netflix series typically span several months, so fans might expect a release window around the same time next year. What was The Royals Season 1 about? Set in the fictional princely state of Morpur, The Royals follows Prince Aviraaj 'Fizzy' Singh (Ishaan Khatter), who inherits a crumbling palace and a mountain of debt after his father's death. Enter Sophia Shekhar (Bhumi Pednekar), a sharp, self-made CEO of a startup called Work Potato. She proposes transforming the palace into a luxury bed-and-breakfast to save the royal family from financial ruin. Their business partnership quickly turns into a romantic entanglement, complicated by family secrets, exes, and palace politics. The season ends with a bombshell: Fizzy is revealed to be the illegitimate son of Maharani Padmaja (Sakshi Tanwar), throwing the royal lineage into chaos. What to expect in The Royals Season 2? While plot details are under wraps, the creators have hinted at a more dramatic and extravagant second season. Rangita and Ishita Pritish Nandy, the show's creators, described Season 1 as a 'love letter to the romcom genre' and promised that Season 2 will be 'bigger, bolder, and even more fabulous,' with more 'fire, feisty banter, and a whole lot of drama'. Given the cliffhanger ending of Season 1, viewers can anticipate a deeper dive into the complexities of royal succession, family dynamics, and the evolving relationship between Fizzy and Sophia. Expected faces of The Royals Season 2 The main cast is expected to reprise their roles: Ishaan Khatter as Maharaj Aviraaj 'Fizzy' Singh, Morpur Bhumi Pednekar as Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, CEO of Work Potato Sakshi Tanwar as Maharani Padmaja 'Paddy' Singh, Morpur Zeenat Aman as Rajmata Maji Saheba Bhagyashree Devi Nora Fatehi as Ayesha Dhondi, Fizzy's ex Vihaan Samat as Yuvaraj Digvijay 'Diggy' Singh, Morpur Dino Morea as Nawab Salauddin 'Salad' Khan, Alsipur Milind Soman as former Maharaj Yuvanath Singh, Morpur The Royals is directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, with writing credits to Neha Veena Sharma, Vishnu Sinha, and Iti Agarwal. It is produced by Pritish Nandy Communications.
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.
Pink Villa
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
From spilling sass to startup strategies: 5 signs you are girl boss like Bhumi Pednekar's Sophia in The Royals
Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, played by Bhumi Pednekar in The Royals, is a bold and smart young woman who starts from scratch and builds her own business empire. She's confident, speaks her mind, and knows what she wants. Even though she's surrounded by royalty and drama, Sophia stays true to herself. She's strong, sassy, and always stands up for what's right. Whether it's handling tough business deals or emotional moments, she proves you can be powerful and kind at the same time. 5 signs that you are Sophia from The Royals 1. You're a Self-Made Girl Boss You don't wait around for opportunities to come knocking, you take charge and create them yourself. Much like Sophia from The Royals, who didn't just settle but boldly built her own hospitality ventures such as WorkPotato and Royal Airbnb, you're forging your own path with relentless determination and ambition. 2. You Speak Your Mind, Fearlessly Whether it's speaking up in boardroom meetings, expressing your true feelings to the Maharaja, or closing important deals with clients, you never hold back. Just like Sophia, your boldness and fearless honesty are what make you stand out from the crowd. 3. You Don't Let Anyone Define You You don't let anyone else define who you are. When the board chose to remove Sophia from her CEO position, she refused to back down. Instead, she made a strong comeback by organizing a impactful fashion charity show, showing the world that only she has the power to define her own value and identity. 4. You Handle Drama with Grace and Sass Sophia handles drama with both grace and sass. From office chaos and funding struggles to the Royal BnB launch and her complicated love life with Maharaj Aviraaj, she navigates every challenge like a pro, always adding a touch of sass wherever she goes. 5. You Champion Other Women You champion other women. Just like Sophia and her close friends Nikki and Keerthana, she doesn't only focus on herself but is a true woman's woman, always standing by her friends through thick and thin, no matter the challenges they face.
India.com
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Amid The Royals controversy, Udit Arora hits back at trolls for calling show 'misinterpreted': ‘People are missing…'
Amid The Royals controversy, Udit Arora hits back at trolls for calling show 'misinterpreted': 'People are missing…' | Exclusive Udit Arora has charmed us with his portrayal of Kunal Mehta in the recently released Netflix show The Royals. He portrayed Bhumi Pednekar's ex-boyfriend-turned-co-founder for their organisation, Work Potato. While, the 8-episode series, has been praised by many but also faced some flax, hence, creating a lot of buzz ever since it began streaming. Some felt that Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar's pairing was a misfit, while few felt that the storyline could have been better. Apart from this, another criticism that the series had faced was by the Heritage platform Royal Fables. The Royals is based on the fictional city of Morpur, where a royal family struggles financially after the King passes away. Royal Fables called out the makers for presenting 'false narratives' about Indian royal families. In an impassioned Instagram post, 'on behalf of the 565 princely states of India,' they accused the show for everything from misinterpretation to desecration of legacy. Udit Arora on The Royals controversy In an exclusive interview with , Udit broke silence on the backlash received by Royal Fables for presenting the show in a false manner. Stating that The Royals is fully a fictional form of art and shouldn't be compared to real-life events, he said, 'See at the end of the day, its just a fictional story and we have to pick up something, right. You can't be comparing it to real-life like that, you know what I mean. Even if something based on a true story is dramatised, it is for entertainment purposes. It's written in every show and film you see.' Udit believes that now days, the shows are being sensationalised in a way to appeal more entertaining, even though it project real-life stories. In case of The Royals, he felt that it was a good parody on the lives of royal families. The actor said, 'Even the documentaries that are coming out they are dramatised. So, I don't know what these people are trying to look into this. Overall, I just want to say that The Royals was a satire on their lives, I see it like that. He added, 'It was a good satire, I think these people are missing the point there, so they should look closely.' Udit Arora on being secure as an actor When asked Udit whether he had any insecure moments, watching Ishaan and Bhumi as limelighters of the show, he said, 'No, we worked on this show like a family. I don't see it like that if something is more or something is less. Especially on this show, everyone including Ishaan and Bhumi, they have been very cooperative. And I feel, just doing justice to your character is what everyone tries to do on set. So that kind of insecurity comes with egos, and this set was surely not like that.' Udit Arora as a 'green flag' on the show About his character in The Royals, he calls him a complete 'green forest'. He believes that his role of Kunal Mehta, Bhumi's ex-boyfriend, posses qualities of being 'likeable, charming and attractive.' In real life, Udit suggests that 'You can be in touch with your ex, but you can't be friends and definitely not business partners as shown in The Royals. It's completely a different deal.' Meanwhile, The Royals also feature Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Dino Morea, Milind Soman, Chunky Panday, Vihaan Samat, Kavya Trehan, Sumukhi Suresh, Udit Arora, Lisa Mishra, and Luke Kenny. The rom-com series is directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana and created by Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy.
