Priyanka Ghose, the director of the Netflix series "The Royals," has responded to the backlash surrounding the show, particularly concerning the casting choices and the perceived lack of chemistry between the lead actors, Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar. The show, which premiered earlier this month, has faced mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike, sparking debate on social media platforms.
One of the primary criticisms leveled against "The Royals" is the on-screen chemistry, or lack thereof, between Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar. Addressing this directly, Ghose told India Today that she was open to trying this unconventional pairing, encouraged by Netflix's casting decision. She argued that both actors are exceptionally talented and that she was eager to see them in glamorous roles, a departure from their previous work. Ghose noted that Ishaan hadn't had the opportunity to play a mainstream glamorous hero, while Bhumi is often seen as the "queen of heartland India."
Ghose further elaborated that during the filming of intimate scenes, she witnessed their talent shine through. According to her, Ishaan and Bhumi participated in workshops to build a comfortable working relationship. She felt that their chemistry appeared organic and never seemed awkward. However, acknowledging the divided opinions, Ghose stated, "If it didn't work for some people, I will try better next time. But there are also people who absolutely enjoyed the show and their chemistry. It's crazy how polarised the feedback has been."
Another point of contention has been Ishaan Khatter's character, Aviraaj, and his frequent shirtless scenes. Ghose defended these scenes, explaining that they were part of the original script and felt natural within the context of the story. She emphasized that the team, including Ishaan, was careful not to overdo it. While they had prepared stylish outfits for him, they intentionally used them sparingly.
Ghose highlighted Ishaan's professionalism, saying, "Ishaan is an intelligent actor, and he wouldn't have agreed to take his shirt off at the drop of a hat. He is always very conscious of that, and there were times when he even discussed if we were overdoing it. There was actually an amazing fashionable wardrobe for him, and we would have loved to use more clothes on him."
In addition to the lead pairing, the limited screen time of veteran actress Zeenat Aman, who made a cameo appearance, also drew criticism. Ghose clarified that Zeenat Aman's role was always intended as a special appearance and not a full-fledged track.
Beyond the specific criticisms of casting and character portrayal, "The Royals" has also been accused of misrepresenting modern-day Indian royals. Royal Fables, a heritage platform, issued an open letter to Netflix, criticizing the show for perpetuating "false narratives" and portraying royal families as struggling or eccentric. The platform argued that royal families are not poor and are actively involved in preserving their heritage through various entrepreneurial endeavors. They also pointed out inaccuracies in the depiction of royal attire, ceremonies, and etiquette. Social media platforms have been flooded with comments criticizing the show's alleged inaccuracies, with hashtags like #TheRoyalsExposed and #FalseNarrativesInRoyals gaining traction.
Despite the criticisms, Ghose seems to be taking the feedback in stride. She mentioned that while she generally avoids getting too caught up in reviews, her team keeps her informed of the reactions. She acknowledged the mix of "love and hate" and emphasized that as artists, they don't begin a project with a specific end result in mind. She recognizes that creative freedom can vary from project to project and that in hindsight, there are always things one might do differently. Ghose is already working on her next project, suggesting a forward-looking approach despite the controversy surrounding "The Royals."
