Netflix's new series, "The Royals," has generated buzz since its premiere on May 9, 2025. Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, this romantic comedy-drama explores the unlikely connection between a prince and a self-made businesswoman. At the heart of the story is Sophia Shekhar, portrayed by Bhumi Pednekar, a determined CEO with ambitions that extend beyond the walls of any palace.

Priyanka Ghose, in a recent statement, explained her decision to cast Bhumi Pednekar as Sophia Shekhar, stating that "Sophia is Bhumi in real life". This sentiment highlights the perceived alignment between the actress's personal qualities and the character's on-screen persona. Bhumi Pednekar herself has described Sophia as fierce, ambitious, and emotionally honest, qualities she says she's always been drawn to.

"The Royals" tells the story of Prince Aviraaj of Morpur, played by Ishaan Khatter, who inherits the throne but discovers he has no inheritance. He then meets Sophia Shekhar, a CEO of a hospitality start-up, who offers him a proposition. Their initial interactions are marked by clashing egos, but they eventually strike a deal. The series follows their journey, filled with heated arguments, humor, and drama.

Sophia is depicted as an award-winning CEO of her own hospitality start-up called Work Potato. She is focused on breaking into a new market by opening a Royal B&B, a hotel within an unused royal palace. Sophia's character is ambitious, feisty, and disciplined, which is the opposite of Aviraaj. She is often challenged by her male-dominated board.

Priyanka Ghose has worked on thriller projects such as "Aarya Season 1" and "The Night Manager". Ghose said that the switch to rom-com was in pursuit of doing something different. Ghose actively looks for different projects because she spends a lot of time on one thing and gets jaded with the genre she is focusing on, so she needs to switch gears.

The series boasts an ensemble cast, including Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Dino Morea, and Milind Soman. The series marks Bhumi Pednekar's series debut and Zeenat Aman's first collaboration with Netflix.

"The Royals" combines the charm of palaces with Indian royalty, appealing to fans of romance series like "Bridgerton" and "Emily in Paris". The series is about two people from different worlds, each fighting their own battles, constantly at odds, yet drawn to each other. As they clash, challenge, and rage against each other, they must discover whether their love can survive the chaos.

Bhumi Pednekar said that playing Sophia felt like stepping into a world that is aspirational and relatable. Ishaan Khatter added that sharing the screen with legendary actors has been inspiring. He hopes the audience enjoys watching his character as much as he enjoyed playing the role.

While some critics have described the show as a mixed bag, and a "royal khichdi", others have praised the performances of the actors and the family dynamic. Overall, "The Royals" presents a modern love story with a modern-day conflict, bringing sizzle and swoon to a world that is unapologetically Indian.