Can opulent aesthetics save a struggling royal family in this modern Indian rom-com?
In short: The Royals, a 2025 Netflix series, follows a cash-strapped Indian royal family attempting to transform their ancestral palace into a luxury resort. While the production design and costumes earned widespread praise, critics remain divided on whether the show’s visual spectacle can compensate for its perceived lack of narrative depth.
Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, The Royals explores the collision of tradition and modern entrepreneurship. The plot centers on Maharaj Aviraaj Singh, played by Ishaan Khatter, who partners with hospitality CEO Sophia Kanmani Shekhar, portrayed by Bhumi Pednekar, to save his family's estate. The ensemble cast includes veteran actress Zeenat Aman as the family matriarch and Sakshi Tanwar as the Maharani. Filmed between February and May 2024 in Jaipur and Mumbai, the series aims to blend Bollywood sensibilities with the high-stakes drama of a period piece.
Critical reception has been polarized since the show's May 9, 2025, premiere. Detractors like Sukanya Verma and Shubhra Gupta have characterized the series as being overly focused on surface-level aesthetics, with Gupta noting that the production struggles under the weight of its own elaborate costumery. Pallavi Keswani further argued that the show fails to utilize its talented cast effectively, lacking the innovation required to elevate its storytelling. These reviews suggest that while the show succeeds as a visual experience, it often falls short of delivering the emotional resonance expected of its premise.
Conversely, some viewers have found value in its lighthearted approach. Abhimanyu Mathur awarded the series three out of five stars, framing it as a fun, clutter-breaking rom-com that successfully balances frivolity with occasional emotional weight. Despite the mixed critical consensus, Netflix demonstrated confidence in the project by renewing it for a second season on May 28, 2025. The series also highlights the intersection of classic and contemporary culture, featuring a recreated version of the 1982 song Tu Tu Hai Wahi, though its promotional efforts were impacted by broader geopolitical tensions in May 2025.
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