The Royals On Netflix Is the Feel-Good Romance We Desperately Needed

It feels like a win in and of itself that Netflix chose to approve, support, and release a romantic comedy series. The Royals feels like long-overdue happiness in a world where grimness, blood, and gunpowder are rigorously wrapped, tied with a bow, and delivered to us every other week. Now and then, it's nice to just let your hair down and blow off steam because, come on, life can be rough sometimes. And who doesn't like a romantic comedy that makes us feel good? The Royals rightfully earns the praise for this.

The Premise of the Series

The main characters meet in the first episode of The Royals, and you can immediately tell that this is going to be a timeless tale about how opposites meet and fall in love. The main protagonist, Sophia, is in Sri Lanka to claim the Best Entrepreneur award on behalf of WorkPotato, the top hospitality start-up in India. She meets the elite guest Aviraaj, who is filming a magazine cover while out on a morning run, and the moment brims with sexual tension, making this brief meeting full of silences that are impossible to ignore.  

Meanwhile, the royal family at the centre of Morpur is struggling to maintain its unity. Zeenat Aman's character Rajmata is the epitome of mood – an amazing woman who embodies weed, knowledge, and cunning schemes. Another jewel in this stellar female cast is Sakshi Tanwar, who plays the widowed queen, adorned and revered by Jewels, mother to three very distinct children and called Paddy. Then comes Digvijay, also Diggy, the practical brother with a moral compass, an interesting plot, and aspirations that extend to more than champagne and selfies. And finally, Divya Ranjani, aka Jinnie, our both hated and loved bratty girl with money.

The Beauty of Mess: Exploring Sizzling Chemistry Through Imperfections

The story detours in a new direction as Aviraaj and Sophia collaborate on the new venture that aims at the immersion of royalty and commonality. From here on out, there is a great mix of silly spats, flashbacks, hot encounters and stormy business sessions in designer clothing. Get real. You anticipate a twinkle from the first three episodes, but you get lukewarm hollowness instead. It's like sipping coffee without its bitterness. And then splash!! What happens to the last three episodes? That's when the real drama starts. Family dynamics explode, romance ignites, and the show finally discovers its voice. Big, flashy, maybe insane, but genuine.

The imperfect and messy aspect of relationships is also given fair justice by The Royals. Aviraaj's complicated relationship with his late father remains unspoken, and his refusal to participate in the "raaj tilak" ritual would put him on symbolic chains that would prevent him from pursuing his desires. Another beautiful scene is Aviraaj defending Sophia, who playfully calls him "aam kumari", in front of the princess Ayesha Dhondi. Despite his flaws and tendency to distance himself from Sophia if his family life is troubled, he is not a red flag. He is simply a nuanced royalty who struggles to find his footing.

On the other hand, Sophia’s character is interwoven with feminist ideals and someone who balances her softness and empowerment like a boss. Modernity is depicted in Sophia's dilemma between Kunal and Aviraaj. One never criticises her decisions or sexual impulses. If you take a closer look, you'll discover all the characters of this yarn with hopes of besting expectations remaining alive, and not all that glitters is gold. Though the narrative pivots around the royals, one can never stray far from Sophia’s trials. This independent woman lost both her parents and is attempting to establish herself within a society, not one that cherishes women.

The Intersection of Humaneness and Visual Excellence: A Look at Elite Performances

The show is flamboyant, aesthetically spectacular, and melodramatic, with an air of striving, desirability, and jealousy. But style, hourglass bodies, washboard abs, and lack of substance aren't everything. In this palace, no one is quite sure if they love or loathe one another. Every relationship includes hidden trauma, phoney smiles, and layers of manipulation. And that's gloriously entertaining, even though it can appear confusing. Of particular note are the slyly sarcastic, passive-aggressive wisecracks that get passed from character to character like treasures of the realm. A huge shoutout to the makers for the remake of Tu Tu Hai Wahi.

Ishaan Khattar gives a multi-dimensional, compelling, and passionate performance as Aviraaj. He is the epitome of a romantic hero and broken prince. And Bhumi Pednekar brings her story with subtle brilliance. Impulsive, perceptive, and ambitious. Seeing her as a cool, urban version is a breath of fresh air, and she looks like she's having the time of her life. Her whole closet can be a Pinterest board in itself; every pair of pants, vest, and jewellery statement is a masterpiece. We needed this Bhumi, and quite frankly, she's wonderful. Vihaan Simaat is the chef's kiss that was so needed, and his journey is deceptively deep. A showstopper is Sakshi Tanwar. She brings charm, cunning, and vulnerability in equal proportions. Zeenat Aman? Legend. A Rajmata stoner who can rule homes as well as hearts with equal skill. 

Ayesha Dhondi's rendition by Nora Fatehi enriches the cast's star-studded exuberance. She features as an enterprising princess who believes she can persuade Ishaan's Aviraaj to join her hotel group and relocate to New York City. There is so much more to Nora beyond her role as a dance celebrity.  So, The Royals can be your next Netflix binge if you are looking for a visual treat.  Don't we all dream of our own sizzling and lustrous love story? AndThe Royals delivers exactly that- a whirlwind of artistocratic romance that sweeps you off your feet and you drift away with it effortlessly.  

Views expressed by the author are their own.