The Royals Review: Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar impress in a drama high on glitz, low on depth

Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar star in this regal drama

‘The Royals’ is a glossy, light-hearted take on a struggling royal family that favours sparkle over substance. While visually appealing and well-acted, it lacks the depth and intrigue expected from a royal saga.

Not your typical royal drama

A word of caution before you begin watching ‘The Royals’: don’t expect palace intrigue, political scheming, or backroom betrayals that are typical of royal dramas. This series steers clear of that territory. Instead, it focuses on the glitzy, surface-level world of a financially struggling royal family trying to reinvent itself with the help of a Mumbai-based hospitality start-up. Packed with comedy, romance, and light drama, ‘The Royals’ dazzles more with its aesthetics than its storytelling. While the show’s visual appeal might attract viewers who enjoy style over substance, those looking for a layered narrative or gripping tension may find it disappointing. This series also marks the streaming debut of yesteryear star Zeenat Aman, though her presence is reduced to a minor and largely irrelevant role.

The disjointed royal family of Morpur

The story follows the royal family of Morpur after the death of King Yuvanath Singh (Milind Soman). The once-revered household is now in disarray. Aviraaj Singh (Ishaan Khatter), the eldest son and heir apparent, prefers living a carefree life in New York, surrounded by women and luxury, while back home, his only companions seem to be horses. His younger brother, Digvijay (Vihaan Samat), is focused on becoming a chef and aims to land a spot on a culinary reality show. Divyaranjini (Kavya Trehan), the only sister, lacks direction. Into this chaos enters Sophia Kanmani Shekhar (Bhumi Pednekar), the ambitious CEO of a start-up called WorkPotato. Her firm proposes turning the royal palace into a luxury bed-and-breakfast, kickstarting a chain of events that expose buried secrets and reshape family dynamics.

Style over substance

On paper, the premise offers potential: a modern take on royalty, clashing with present-day ambitions. But ‘The Royals’ doesn’t go beyond the surface. Rather than developing the emotional or political depth of its characters, the show devotes excessive screen time to Aviraaj’s flirtations, gym-toned physique, and privileged indifference. The dramatic weight that could have grounded the story is largely absent. Zeenat Aman’s character, which could have brought gravitas, is written as peripheral and inconsequential. Surprisingly, the subplot involving Sophia’s corporate struggles—particularly her battle to retain her CEO position after being ousted by the board—feels more compelling and rooted in real stakes than anything happening inside the palace.

Performances hold the plot together

Despite the thin writing, the cast delivers commendable performances. Ishaan Khatter, as Aviraaj, is well cast and brings charm and emotional vulnerability to the role. His portrayal feels genuine, whether he's dealing with family issues or navigating his own internal conflicts. Bhumi Pednekar impresses as Sophia, convincingly portraying a driven professional with both grit and empathy. Vihaan Samat as Digvijay adds subtlety to his character and stands out as the most grounded among the royals. Sakshi Tanwar lends a calm authority as Maharani Padmaja and offers a restrained yet impactful performance. While Milind Soman, Dino Morea, and Chunky Pandey appear in supporting roles, their characters add little to the overall plot and feel like decorative cameos more than story contributors.

A glossy but hollow affair

Where ‘The Royals’ stumbles most is in its storytelling choices. Early hints of sibling rivalry between Digvijay and Aviraaj, particularly over succession, fade without explanation. Digvijay’s unwillingness to reveal his culinary passion is another subplot that remains underexplored. A deeper look at the long-standing rivalry between the Morpur royals and the Dhondhi family could have added necessary tension, but the show never ventures there. The romantic arc between Aviraaj and Sophia, initially engaging, soon becomes repetitive and drags down the pacing. In the end, ‘The Royals’ feels like a missed opportunity. It teases depth but opts for dazzle. If you’re in the mood for a breezy, visually pleasing series with touches of drama and romance, it may be a passable watch. But if you’re looking for complex characters, meaningful conflict, or narrative depth, you’ll likely come away unsatisfied. This is a series more interested in sparkle than storytelling—entertaining on the surface but ultimately hollow underneath.

Cast: Ishan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, Sakshi Tanwar, Vihaan Samat, Kavya Trehan, and Zeenat Aman

Directors: Priyanka Bose, Nupur Asthana

Rating: 3/5