Directors: Priyanka Ghose, Nupur Asthana
Creators: Rangita Pritish Nandy, Ishita Pritish Nandy
Writers: Neha Veena Sharma
Cast: Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, Zeenat Aman, Jagdish Rajpurohit, Sakshi Tanwar, Kavya Trehan, Vihaan Samat, Nora Fatehi
Streaming On: Netflix
Genre: Drama, Romantic Comedy, Satire
Episodes: 8
The Royals on Netflix feels like walking into a royal palace that’s equal parts beautiful, broken, and buzzing with secrets. It arrives with the confidence of a grand parade and the kind of emotional mess you'd expect from a dramatic family WhatsApp group. With eight drama-packed episodes, this show offers a fun mix of romantic comedy, family tensions, and a cheeky look at what it means to be a royal in today’s world.
At the center of the show is Aviraaj Singh (played by Ishaan Khatter), a charming but reluctant prince who would rather be playing polo than managing royal duties. His world turns upside down when he meets Sophia Kanmani Shekhar (Bhumi Pednekar), a sharp and confident CEO who is brought in to save the family’s crumbling palace, Motibagh, by turning it into a luxury heritage hotel.
They are total opposites—he’s laid-back and used to privilege, while she’s a self-made woman who doesn’t back down easily. Naturally, sparks fly. Their love story starts with clashes and misunderstandings, but slowly turns into a passionate and believable romance. If you enjoy “enemies-to-lovers” stories, The Royals will keep you hooked.
But this isn’t just a two-person show. The royal household is packed with colorful characters, each bringing their own drama and charm. Sakshi Tanwar shines as Maharani Padmaja, a widow trying to protect her family’s legacy while hiding a few secrets of her own. Vihaan Samat plays Digvijay, Aviraaj’s younger brother, and stands out with a grounded, sincere performance. His character is one of the few who really sees things clearly in the chaos around him.
Kavya Trehan plays the stylish and slightly spoiled Rajkumari Jinnie, who is trying to figure out her place in the new world order. The sibling dynamics between Fizzy, Diggy, and Jinnie (yes, those are their real nicknames) bring humor and heart to the story.
The supporting cast is loaded with star power. Zeenat Aman makes a royal return in a special appearance, and while her role is small, her presence adds old-school elegance. Chunky Panday appears as a washed-up filmmaker trying to stay relevant, while Dino Morea, Udit Arora, Lisa Mishra, Luke Kenny, Sumukhi Suresh, and Nora Fatehi pop in and out, adding flair and fun to the ensemble.
Visually, the series is stunning. Shot in Rajasthan, the show is filled with gorgeous palaces, traditional outfits, chandeliers, and vintage cars. Every frame is Instagram-worthy, and the glamour is real. But beneath all the beauty, The Royals also talks about serious issues—like financial struggles, family pressure, tradition vs. modern life, and even touches on gender and sexuality in subtle but important ways.
However, not everything works perfectly. There are too many subplots, and some of them don’t get enough time to fully develop. At times, new characters are introduced without much explanation, and the pace can feel rushed—especially in the second half. Some misunderstandings between Aviraaj and Sophia also feel repetitive after a while.
Despite these flaws, the show never forgets its main goal: to entertain. It balances serious moments with humor and romance, and it never takes itself too seriously. The writing has some smart, funny lines, and while the script could’ve used more polish, the energy and charm of the cast carry it through.
Final Verdict: The Royals is not perfect, but it's a total binge-watch if you’re looking for something fun, dramatic, and filled with royal flair. With a great-looking cast, strong female characters, and a modern twist on royal life, the show serves up enough style and substance to keep you watching. It’s dramatic, romantic, over-the-top—and a whole lot of fun.