The Royals On Netflix | Director Reacts To Criticism Over Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar Chemistry: Will Try…

The Royals Netflix Release: Netflix India’s romantic comedy, "The Royals," recently premiered, boasting a lineup of eight episodes filled with grandeur, from opulent sets to exquisite costumes. However, despite its visual appeal, the series has faced criticism for its perceived lack of a compelling narrative and the supposedly weak chemistry between lead actors Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar. Director Priyanka Ghose has stepped forward to address these concerns, particularly focusing on the casting choices, Ishaan Khatter's shirtless scenes, and the cameo by Bollywood icon Zeenat Aman.

Priyanka Ghose expressed her openness to the novel casting of Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, brought together by Netflix. She highlighted their capabilities as actors and their venture into roles that diverged significantly from their previous work. "With Bhumi's casting by Netflix, I was actually very open to the idea of trying this new pairing. They are both such powerful actors, and I was excited to see them embody glamourous roles, which goes against both of their works so far. While Ishaan hasn't got a chance to play a glamorous mainstream hero role, Bhumi has always been like the queen of heartland India," Ghose stated. Despite the mixed feedback, she remains optimistic, recognizing the polarized nature of viewer responses but affirming her intent to improve in the future.

Responding to Critique

The show's storyline follows the young prince Aviraaj, nicknamed Fizzy (played by Ishaan Khatter), who is indifferent to his royal obligations. Following his father's death and the revelation of the family's dire financial situation, Fizzy reluctantly steps into his role as Maharaj. In an effort to rescue their deteriorating palace, the royal family collaborates with a contemporary startup, led by CEO Sophia (Bhumi Pednekar), who proposes transforming the palace into a luxurious bed-and-breakfast. The narrative unfolds as Fizzy and Sophia navigate their contrasting worlds, attempting to work together amidst their differences.

Addressing the feedback regarding Ishaan Khatter's shirtless scenes, Ghose clarified that these moments were part of the original script and intended to feel organic rather than excessive. She emphasized Ishaan’s professionalism and discretion in portraying his character, noting that while a fashionable wardrobe was prepared, it was used sparingly. "Ishaan is an intelligent actor, and he wouldn't have agreed to take his shirt off at the drop of a hat. He is always conscious of that, and there were times when he even discussed if we were overdoing it. There was actually an amazing fashionable wardrobe for him, and we would have loved to use more clothes on him," she remarked.

Special Cameo and Future Aspirations

Further, Ghose shed light on Zeenat Aman's role, explaining it was always planned as a special appearance rather than a significant subplot. She acknowledged the audience's desire for more from such legendary figures but reiterated the limitations imposed by the script. "It was never meant to be a full track. Whenever we have legendary superstars making cameo appearances, we crave more, and the same happened with Zeenat ma'am. As much as I would have loved, the script had only those many scenes," Ghose shared.

The series also stars notable actors such as Sakshi Tanwar, Milind Soman, Nora Fatehi, Vihaan Samat, Dino Morea, and others, enriching the narrative with their performances. Despite the challenges and criticisms faced, Ghose’s commitment to learning from feedback and improving future endeavors is evident. She concludes on a hopeful note, expressing her determination to deliver better experiences, "If it didn't work for some people, I will try better next time. But there are also people who enjoyed the show and their chemistry. It's crazy how polarised the feedback has been."

In wrapping up, "The Royals" represents a venture into new thematic and aesthetic territories for its cast and crew, amidst a landscape of varied viewer expectations and responses. As the series continues to reach audiences, the team behind it remains dedicated to refining their craft, underscoring the dynamic and evolving nature of storytelling in contemporary cinema.