Netflix’s latest Indian original, The Royals, has swept onto screens with all the glitz, drama, and scandal one expects from a modern fairy tale. But beyond the sparkling palaces and sizzling romance, the show has ignited a cultural conversation-drawing both adoration from fans and sharp criticism from India’s real-life royals.
A Modern Fairytale with Bollywood Flair
The Royals centers on the fictional royal family of Morpur, whose fortunes have faded along with their ancestral grandeur. The story follows Aviraaj Singh (Ishaan Khatter), a reluctant royal heir who’d rather be modeling in New York, and Sophia Shekhar (Bhumi Pednekar), a driven CEO tasked with transforming the family’s palace into a luxury boutique resort. Sparks fly as business turns personal, setting the stage for a classic hate-to-love rom-com arc-complete with witty banter, emotional growth, and a generous dose of palace intrigue.
The show’s appeal is undeniable. Shortly after its May 2025 premiere, The Royals shot to #1 in seven countries and cracked the Netflix Top 10 in 37 more-a testament to the enduring allure of royal romances and the show’s unapologetically Indian flavor. As Tanya Bami, Series Head at Netflix India, put it: “It’s not just a love story, it’s royalty reimagined with heart, humour, and style”.
Star Power and Opulent Storytelling
The ensemble cast features some of Bollywood’s brightest: Bhumi Pednekar as the strong yet vulnerable Sophia, Ishaan Khatter as the conflicted Aviraaj, Sakshi Tanwar as the formidable Maharani Padmaja, and screen legends Zeenat Aman and Milind Soman in regal supporting roles. Critics have praised the chemistry between Pednekar and Khatter, noting their performances as a highlight that brings emotional depth to the otherwise glitzy proceedings.
The show’s humour and situational comedy, peppered with Gen Z dialogue and clever one-liners, have also won fans. It’s a world of Bentleys, diamonds, and palace auctions, but the characters’ struggles and vulnerabilities keep the story grounded-even as it indulges in the genre’s most extravagant tropes.
Backlash from India’s Royal Families
Yet, not everyone is amused by Netflix’s take on modern royalty. The heritage group Royal Fables, representing descendants of India’s princely states, has publicly condemned The Royals for what they call “misrepresentation” and “historical blasphemy”. Their grievances range from the depiction of royals as broke and desperate to factual inaccuracies and cultural clichés-right down to the costumes.
“Royal families are not poor. They are not selling their palaces or making money from bat poop! They are landowners and inheritors of a rich legacy they are monetising,” Royal Fables declared in a widely shared Instagram post.
The backlash has itself become a spectacle, with social media users lampooning the royal outrage as elitist and out-of-touch. Memes and mockery have flooded the internet, turning the controversy into a meta-commentary on privilege and representation in pop culture.
Mixed Reviews: Glamorous, Fun, but Flawed
While The Royals has found a devoted audience, critical reception is mixed. Some reviewers have lauded its entertainment value and the way it “fills a void in Hindi entertainment, where Bollywood meets Bridgerton”2. Others, however, find it all style and little substance, criticizing the predictable plot, overwrought dialogue, and lack of originality5.
“It promises drama, grandeur, romance, and cultural fusion-but what it delivers is a painfully bloated, cliché-ridden mess… It’s dramatic fluff trying to wear the crown of social commentary, and the result is unintentionally hilarious,” reads one scathing user review5.
What’s Next for The Royals?
With its cliffhanger ending and massive popularity, speculation is rife about a second season. While Netflix hasn’t officially announced a renewal, the show’s success makes a return in 2026 likely1. Expect more palace intrigue, romantic twists, and perhaps even deeper dives into the fictional city of Morpur’s storied past.
The Verdict
The Royals is a glossy, binge-worthy romp that embraces its own excesses-equal parts escapist fantasy and cultural flashpoint. Whether you love it for its heart and humour or hate it for its clichés and controversies, one thing is clear: Netflix’s royal rom-com has everyone talking, and in the streaming era, that’s a crown worth wearing.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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