At the time of India’s independence in 1947, there were around 562 princely states governed by Indian rulers who were linked to the British Raj. These states, also known as “native states”, covered nearly half of India’s landmass and ruled over a third of its population. As India gained independence (with partition) they got privy purses (taxpayer money to spend) and other privileges. PM Indira Gandhi abolished the privy purses, and today a few of the ‘royals’ with massive forts (or, properties) run businesses. As someone said few Indians mourned the death of the princely order and like many other monarchies they have no place in democratic India. It is history (often bloody) and nostalgic (for the ex-royals). They have been immortalised in memory and movies, a never ending endeavour.
Netflix and Pritish Nandy Communications have come up with ‘The Royals’, a rom-com that will premiere on May 9, on Netflix.
“Once upon a time, in the vibrant city of Morpur, there lived a royal family with no riches of their own. Then comes a lady in shining armour who represents a world apart. Fixing the royal life becomes her only task. But managing Morpur Palace’s pauper Prince seems tougher than said. When Rajkumar’s polished world collides with Aam Kumari’s grit, sparks fly, egos clash, and romance blooms for this unlikely match,” discloses the Netflix media release.
Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, written by Neha Veena Sharma, and produced under the banner of Pritish Nandy Communications, The Royals is the brainchild of Rangita and Ishita Pritish Nandy, known for their pop-culture-savvy, whip-smart storytelling. The series boasts a stellar ensemble cast, featuring the stunning new on-screen couple Bhumi Pednekar playing the ambitious and feisty CEO of Work Potato, Sophia Shekhar, and Aviraaj Singh, a dashing party prince played Ishaan Khatter, alongside Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Dino Morea, Milind Soman, Chunky Panday, Vihaan Samat, Kavya Trehan, Sumukhi Suresh, Udit Arora, Lisa Mishra and Luke Kenny.
Creators Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy shared, “With The Royals, we’ve mounted a romance that whips together the old-world charm of palaces and Indian royalty with glass-walled boardrooms and modern reality—where love is anything but easy. The series is about two people from completely different worlds, each fighting their own battles, constantly at odds, yet irresistibly drawn to each other in ways they never expected—remember how you never want the good one but always chase after the one you know is trouble?—that’s The Royals for you”
Tanya Bami, Series Head, Netflix India adds, “It’s not just a love story, it’s royalty reimagined with heart, humour and style. It’s been a joy to create this world in collaboration with Pritish Nandy Communications, and we can’t wait for audiences to fall in love with it.”
