Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter to Star in Netflix’s ‘The Royals’ Amid Talks on Romance Genre’s Decline

Actors hope their new romantic series will revive interest in love stories as Bollywood pivots towards high-octane content

Netflix India’s upcoming original series The Royals is generating buzz with its fresh take on romance and a star-studded cast led by Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter. Scheduled to premiere on May 9, the series also features veteran stars Zeenat Aman, Chunky Pandey, and Sakshi Tanwar in prominent roles.

At the official trailer launch event, both Bhumi and Ishaan addressed the noticeable decline of romantic films in recent years—a trend many cinephiles and industry insiders have pointed out.

Speaking to the media, Bhumi Pednekar expressed concern over the diminishing presence of romance in mainstream storytelling. “The romantic genre is not taken seriously anymore,” she said. “In the midst of all the testosterone and high-energy narratives, The Royals will feel like a breath of fresh air.”

Referencing the 1990s, Pednekar highlighted how many Bollywood superstars established themselves through iconic love stories. She acknowledged the challenge modern actors face when trying to convincingly portray love with unfamiliar co-stars and noted that such genres often go through cyclical phases in the industry. “We don’t know why fewer romantic scripts are being written, but I believe these things come and go in waves,” she added.

Echoing her views, Ishaan Khatter observed that the oversaturation of romantic films in earlier years may have led to a temporary creative fatigue. “There was a phase where there were too many love stories being told, and perhaps audiences grew tired of the repetition,” he said. “But now that romance is scarce, there’s a craving for it again.”

Khatter encouraged audiences to support The Royals if they want to see more love stories return to mainstream media. He described the show as a “refreshing twist on the genre,” highlighting its modern storyline about a royal falling in love with a commoner. He also clarified that while the title may suggest a historical drama, the series is firmly set in the present.

The actor shared that this is his first romantic role in several years, following an early-career appearance in a tragic love story. “It’s been almost seven years since I did something like this, and returning to a genre I love has been really fulfilling,” he said.

The Royals is set to debut exclusively on Netflix India on May 9.