Get ready to swoon: Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar's chemistry in 'The Royals' leaves viewers weak-kneed

At the moment, social media is abuzz with talk of “The Royals” on Netflix. 

Curious about the high praise, I decided to binge the eight-part series while recuperating from a severe flu. 

Echoing the allure of "Bridgerton", this series delves into the captivating history of a royal family, revealing hidden love affairs, concealed family truths, and monetary difficulties.

The plot, while simple and lacking significant depth, serves as a platform for the talented cast to inject considerable energy and dynamism into the narrative.

Admittedly, I wasn’t bowled over after two episodes, but I put aside my misgivings and continued. And I’m glad I did. 

The series and the characters grow on you.

Episode one plays out like the pages of a Mills & Boon novel: a dreamy guy, shirt open, showcasing his chiselled features, is being filmed on a horse on the beach. The shoot is disrupted by a jogger, who defiantly cuts across the cordoned-off public area.

This is how Aviraaj “Fizzy” Singh (Ishaan Khatter) and Sophia Kanmani Shekhar (Bhumi Pednekar), the visionary CEO of Work Potato, first meet. 

Talk about the perfect setup for their love story, which hits many snags in the series, more so after a failed hook-up between the two. 

The premise centres on Sophia attempting to launch a pioneering hospitality initiative, where normal people get to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience of living in a palace like royalty. 

Despite the board being hesitant about this initiative, Sophia is backed by her co-founder, Kunal (Udit Arora).

As fate would have it, her search for a place dovetails with Motibagh Palace in Morpur being in dire need of restoration. 

Aviraaj’s younger brother, Yuvaraj Digvijay "Diggy" Singh (Vihaan Samat), proposes that they strike a deal with Sophia’s company to save the family from financial ruin. 

His mother, Maharani Padmaja "Paddy" Singh (Sakshi Tanwar), grandmother Rajmata Maji Saheba Bhagyashree Devi (Zeenat Aman) and younger sister Yuvarani Divyaranjini "Jinnie" Singh (Kavya Trehan) are aligned with the proposal.

Of course, when Aviraaj returns home for his father’s will and to take the reins, he is not a fan of the idea. And he is combative every step of the way, which riles Sophia as her career is on the line if the venture fails. 

Khatter, who streamers would remember from “The Perfect Couple” last year, is perfect for his princely role. Confident and charismatic, his portrayal also includes a subtle but expected arrogance.

Pednekar is a ravishing beauty who holds her own against him. The connection between them is electrifying, and fans can’t stop raving about it. 

With admirable finesse and grace, she embodies her role as a lady boss, and her undeniably sexy wardrobe is simply stunning.

Given her experience in social dramas, her emotional range is off the charts.

The supporting cast adds a wonderful dimension to the storytelling, with Diggy being an aspiring chef, Jinnie deciding to come out of the closet, and Paddy finally being true to herself after spending much of her life covering up one of the biggest family secrets - her late husband's secret boyfriend.

Meanwhile, Aviraaj is conflicted about taking over from his dad, especially when so much was left unsaid, as he resented him for breaking up their family. 

"The Royals" is a series that evokes strong reactions, landing squarely in either the love or loath category.

Yet, those who embrace its romantic entanglements, dramatic flair, intricate deceptions, power dynamics, and characters' yearning for authenticity will find themselves captivated by its lavish visuals and surprising plot developments. 

The cliffhanger ending strongly suggests the promise of a second season. 

Rating: 3/5 *** solid and enjoyable, though not groundbreaking.

Below is another similar series to check out:

"Bridgerton"

I would suggest binge-watching all the available series, ahead of season four, which drops on the platform next year. The sweeping tale is set during the Regency era in England, where eight close-knit siblings of the powerful Bridgerton family attempt to find love.

The casting, premise and direction from this Shondaland offering will sweep you off your feet.