The Royals Netflix Review: A Glamorous Ride That Misses the Depth

The Royals on Netflix – Honest Review

Cast: Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar
Platform: Netflix
Genre: Drama / Romance / Political Intrigue
Director: [Director’s Name, if available]
Rating: ★★½ (2.5/5)

Netflix’s The Royals, starring Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, enters the ever-growing universe of fictional monarchy dramas. With opulent sets, glittering wardrobes, and a promising cast, it attempts to blend romance, family politics, and scandal. But while it starts with flair, The Royals eventually falls short of its crown-worthy potential.

The Premise

Set in a fictional Indian royal family that’s trying to stay relevant in modern times, the show revolves around duty, betrayal, forbidden love, and the tension between tradition and individual freedom. Ishaan Khatter plays the rebellious prince torn between expectations and self-expression, while Bhumi Pednekar takes on the role of a fierce, progressive outsider who challenges the palace norms.

On paper, it’s a compelling pitch—think The Crown meets Made in Heaven—but in execution, it often slips into familiar soap-style territory.

What Works

The Visuals: There’s no denying the show is visually stunning. From heritage palaces and regal outfits to modern luxury, the production design is lush and cinematic. Loved the shots of Jaipur Palace.
The Performances: Ishaan brings an earnest vulnerability to his role, and Bhumi holds her ground with a composed, powerful presence. Their chemistry is subtle but watchable.
The Ambition: The show tries to tackle relevant themes like feminism, classism, gender, identity, and the media’s role in shaping public opinion, which is commendable.

Where It Falls Short

Predictable Plotlines: The narrative plays it safe, relying on tropes—secret affairs, power-hungry uncles, and palace conspiracies—that feel dated and predictable. What could have been a refreshing take on royalty in India ends up echoing daily soap drama. In fact, some sequences were actually unwanted and nonsensical.
Inconsistent Writing: The dialogue wavers between poetic and painfully dramatic. Some conversations lack emotional weight, while others feel over-scripted and artificial.
Underdeveloped Characters: Beyond the leads, supporting characters often feel one-dimensional. You’re introduced to potential subplots, but many are either underexplored or abruptly dropped.
Pacing Issues: Some episodes move too slowly, while others cram in multiple developments without proper buildup. This imbalance affects the emotional arc and connection with the characters.

Well…

The Royals tries to marry grandeur with substance, but it doesn’t quite succeed in balancing both. While it delivers eye candy and a few strong moments, it lacks the nuance and layered storytelling that such a premise demands. It’s a decent one-time watch if you’re in the mood for light drama and palace intrigue, but don’t go in expecting a sharp socio-political commentary or deep emotional resonance.

And yes, special bow to Zeenat Aman ji. She is AMAZING to watch! Simply wow!