Director Addresses Criticism Surrounding ‘The Royals’ Casting and Shirtless Scenes
Director Responds to Backlash Over ‘The Royals’
Priyanka Ghose, the director of Netflix India’s new romantic comedy ‘The Royals,’ has addressed the criticism the show has received since its release last week. While the series boasts grand sets, beautiful costumes, and a star-studded cast including Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, and Zeenat Aman, it hasn’t universally impressed viewers and critics.
Some have questioned the chemistry between the leads, Ishaan and Bhumi, while others have criticized Ishaan’s shirtless scenes and Zeenat Aman’s limited cameo.
Casting Choices and Chemistry
Ghose defended the casting of Ishaan and Bhumi, stating that she was excited to see them portray glamorous roles, a departure from their previous work. She acknowledged that their pairing might not have resonated with everyone but expressed confidence in her creative choices.
“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,” she told India Today.
Ishaan’s Shirtless Scenes
Addressing the shirtless scenes featuring Ishaan, Ghose clarified they were already present in the original script and felt organic to the character. She emphasized that Ishaan, a conscious actor, was involved in the decision-making process and ensured the scenes were not overdone.
Ghose further revealed that there was a stylish wardrobe prepared for Ishaan’s character, but the team ultimately opted to use it less frequently.
Zeenat Aman’s Cameo
The director also addressed criticisms regarding Zeenat Aman’s brief appearance in the series, stating that her role was always intended to be a special appearance and not a full-fledged character arc.
“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,” she explained.
The Royals: A Modern Royal Tale
Set in the fictional town of Morpur, ‘The Royals’ follows the story of Aviraaj (played by Ishaan Khatter), a young prince reluctant to embrace his royal duties. The death of his father throws the family into financial turmoil, forcing him to step up as Maharaj. To save the struggling palace, Aviraaj teams up with Sophia (played by Bhumi Pednekar), the CEO of a modern startup, who proposes a bold idea: transforming the palace into a luxurious bed-and-breakfast.
The series explores the clash of traditional values and modern ambitions as Fizzy and Sophia navigate their partnership, while also featuring a talented ensemble cast including Sakshi Tanwar, Milind Soman, Nora Fatehi, Vihaan Samat, and Dino Morea.
