The new Hindi-language romantic comedy-drama series, ‘The Royals’, starring Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, has officially premiered on Netflix, igniting a flurry of reactions across social media. While the lead duo’s on-screen chemistry and the show’s aesthetic appeal have garnered praise, a significant portion of viewers have expressed disappointment with the writing and narrative execution.
Netizens took to Twitter to share their immediate reactions, resulting in a mixed bag of opinions. Many lauded the fresh pairing of Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, highlighting their palpable chemistry as a major draw. Several users specifically mentioned the actors’ individual performances, with some calling Ishaan “unforgettable” and Bhumi’s portrayal as having “depth and agency.” The music and the overall visual presentation of the series, set against the backdrop of opulent palaces, also received positive nods.
However, the praise largely ended there. A dominant sentiment among the Twitterati was the criticism aimed at the show’s writing. Many viewers found the plot to be confusing, lacking substance, and riddled with tonal inconsistencies. Some described the narrative as “disappointing” and a “waste of talent,” despite the glamorous visuals and the star power involved.
“Had a lot of expectations but the ending and writing ruined it all,” one user tweeted, echoing the sentiments of several others who felt let down by the storyline. Another user pointed out the misdirection in the trailer, stating that the show felt neither like a thriller nor a coherent romantic comedy. Comparisons to other series like ‘Bridgerton’ for its royal setting and ‘Schitt’s Creek’ for its humor were also made, but not always favorably.
Adding to the criticism, some viewers called out specific aspects of the writing, such as forced banter, predictable plot arcs, and superficial character development. The introduction of subplots and character traits sometimes felt abrupt and lacked sufficient exploration, leaving viewers feeling disconnected from the narrative.
Despite the flak for its writing, ‘The Royals’ seems to have struck a chord with some viewers who appreciated the lightheartedness and the lead actors’ performances. The chemistry between Ishaan and Bhumi is consistently cited as a reason to watch, even if the story itself falls short for many.
In conclusion, ‘The Royals’ has sparked a debate on Twitter, with netizens appreciating the fresh pairing and visual appeal but largely criticizing the writing for its lack of depth and confusing execution. Whether the charm of the lead cast and the royal aesthetics are enough to overcome the narrative shortcomings remains to be seen as more viewers binge-watch the series.