Every once in a while, Netflix India is able to procure a script that they’re able to elevate with the best possible ensemble cast–bringing both veteran superstars and rising talents to our screen. Who would’ve thought I’d ever see Sakshi Tanwar and Zeenat Aman on my screen, smoking together while dressed fabulously? Not going to lie, I would have liked the show if it was just about two royal women being chill and supportive of each other as they navigate official affairs. But alas, Royals forced us to watch the dry chemistry between Maharaja Aviraj and CEO of Couch Potato, Sophia Shekhar–heterosexuality oof.

Fashionably Bad Representation

There are shows that are textbook level bad, and then there are shows with potential that made every single bad decision of what to do with their stellar cast and dynamic characters. We do know now that season 2 is in the making, and the pilot season starts off with just stirring the pot–but at least turn on the gas while cooking. No wonder the actual Indian royals felt compelled to share their strong opinions opposing the show’s portrayal of the royal Indian life.

This isn’t about how forced queerness felt in the show–I actually disagree with that opinion. Queerness isn’t ever forced, but it feels forced right now because we’re just not used to seeing so much queerness in a show. Just like in real life, there are queer people everywhere, whether you feel it’s forced or not.

That point aside, yes, the representation is severely in need of saving. The issue is the timing of the script. The timeframe the script is set in, leaves one confused about who to focus on. Is the show about a girl-boss (derogatory) who is severely lacking in professionalism, a prince-model-now king who is getting used to the responsibilities he’s always avoided, a widow who lost her good friend and life-partner, or is it about the gay king who left behind a huge mess?

The styling of the show takes the queer element of camp and takes it to a very high standard—but for a script so bland?

Royal Pain In The Ass (pun intended)

Aside from all the bad acting and good looks that Bhumi Pednekar serves, I think it would’ve been much wiser to shift the focus to much better developed characters. Bhumi’s CEO suave fails to fit into the show that clearly looks like it was ONLY about the gay king–whose delicious cameos have been cut down to random 2 minute flashbacks. That’s what I mean when I say the timing of the script is bad. It could’ve easily been about:

1. Royals cleaning up the mess and scandal the media makes about queerness and child-out-of-wedlock syndrome; without the annoying intervention of a girlboss,

2. A new king learning about his father, coming to terms with his father’s queerness and his trauma without having a CEO lady to deal with at every point,

3. Three siblings coming to terms with the version of the father they knew and their internal changes, etc–Fizzy about responsibilities, Diggy about his passion and Jinnie about her ambition and polyamorous tendencies (poor Niki),

4. An actual lavender marriage between a king and a queen who had to deal with birthing three royals,

5. A King falling in love with another man in the 80s-90s; just imagine the styling potential!

It could’ve been anything–and yet it chooses to be what it is.

Knight In Shining Armour

Despite all its flaws, the show does manage to stick at one point–it’s the solid foundation that it sets for Fizzy to find himself by literally putting himself in his father’s throne. He has a significant amount of responsibilities while his passion lies elsewhere. He’s only upset with his father because of his major absence, not because of his queerness. In fact, he’s able to understand his father a lot more after finding out he was just as suffocated by responsibilities as him. His breakdowns and him forgiving his father eventually was a good moment that lasted for too little time.

I don’t know what the creators of the show will move forward with, but I do hope they give poor Fizzy some rest—he’s long overdue a break from all the existential crisis.

I also hope Jinnie and Niki either build a stronger bond, or at least are able to bring more female queer characters on board if they separate. And who else thinks Salad is a bit fruity too? Definitely need that development for season 2!