Mumbai, April 23, 2025 — As Netflix gears up for the release of its royal romantic comedy The Royals, lead actors Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter are opening up about the state of romance in Indian entertainment. Speaking at the show’s trailer launch, the duo shared their thoughts on the dwindling presence of the romantic genre in mainstream cinema and how their new series aims to revive it.
Bhumi, known for her versatility across genres, remarked, “The romantic genre is not taken seriously anymore. In the midst of all the testosterone and everything else, The Royals will be a breath of fresh air.” Reflecting on the 1990s, she pointed out how many superstars built their careers on timeless love stories and expressed disappointment over how rare such scripts have become today. She added that portraying love on-screen with authenticity—especially with a co-star one may not know personally—is a craft that deserves more appreciation.
Ishaan Khatter echoed similar sentiments, suggesting that the overabundance of love stories in previous decades may have caused creative burnout, leading both filmmakers and audiences to seek alternatives. “It’s a cyclical trend,” he said, adding that now, with fewer romantic stories around, there’s a renewed appetite for heartfelt narratives. He encouraged audiences to support The Royals if they want to see more love-centric tales return to the spotlight.
Set in the fictional royal city of Morpur, The Royals pairs a reluctant prince (played by Ishaan) with a bold, self-made CEO (played by Bhumi). The series promises a blend of romance, comedy, and modern-day palace drama. Ishaan shared his excitement about the project, noting that while many expected a traditional period piece, The Royals is anything but. “It’s been seven years since I last did a romantic role, and this one has been refreshing,” he added.
Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, and written by Neha Veena Sharma, The Royals also features industry stalwarts like Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, and Chunky Pandey. The series is slated to premiere on May 9, 2025, and could just be the spark the romance genre needs to reclaim its place in the hearts of Indian viewers.