Actors Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar are all set to share the screen for the first time in Netflix’s upcoming romantic comedy series The Royals. Ahead of the show’s May 9 premiere, the duo opened up about their working relationship, on-screen chemistry, and their views on online trolling in a candid conversation.
Directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana and produced by Pritish Nandy Communications, The Royals promises to be a quirky, feel-good love story featuring a fiery love-hate dynamic between the lead characters. The series also boasts a star-studded ensemble including Sakshi Tanwar, Zeenat Aman, Nora Fatehi, Dino Morea, Milind Soman, and Chunky Panday.
First-Time Co-Stars
Ishaan and Bhumi revealed that building chemistry was essential, especially since they hadn’t worked together before. “We went through a chemistry read. We had joint script readings to build that rapport,” said Bhumi, admitting she found the casting “interesting” at first.
Ishaan echoed the sentiment, sharing how their roles allowed for genuine exploration. “Working with an actor par excellence like Bhumi was a delight. We’ve never done something like this in our careers. There’s a love-hate arc — a cat-and-dog relationship with ego clashes and emotional tension. It made for great fun,” he said.
On Trolls and Social Media Backlash
Both actors addressed the inevitable scrutiny that comes with being in the public eye, especially with unconventional pairings. Bhumi was direct about the trolling: “Today, trolling has become people’s pastime. It doesn’t matter, though.” Ishaan added, “It was either we let that stop us, or we went ahead with something we loved. The script won.”
Despite the initial skepticism from some fans when the cast was announced, the trailer has been met with praise, with many appreciating the fresh chemistry between the leads.
A Power-Packed Cast
The Royals is not just about Ishaan and Bhumi. The show also features a diverse cast including Vihaan Samat, Lisa Mishra, Kavya Trehan, Udit Arora, and comedian Sumukhi Suresh. With eight episodes in its debut season, the show explores royal drama, modern romance, and comedic conflict — all wrapped in high-gloss storytelling.
As anticipation builds, Ishaan and Bhumi’s dynamic pairing is set to be one of the key highlights of the show. With sharp writing, strong performances, and timely commentary on fame and identity, The Royals could well be Netflix’s next big hit in the Indian web series space.
Sources By Agencies
