The Royals

What separates The Royals from run-of-the-mill shows is how seriously it takes itself and its protagonists despite the frivolity of all. Yes, there is banter and on-the-nose jokes on royalty and the corporate world. But the story knows that these are living, breathing human beings, and it allows them to grow as such. It helps that Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar bring out their A-game as well. Ishaan is very much likeable as the a**hole maharaja and even more likeable when his character discovers his flaws. In the emotional scenes, he knocks it out of the park. Bhumi is every bit as effortless herself. The actor shows that she can play the urban boss girl just as flawlessly as she portrays the tier-2 city girl. With Sophia, she brings a mixture of strength, confidence, doubt, and vulnerability that makes her perfectly relatable.

Be it as a source of fire, secret or endgame, everything is seen through the prism of sex and good looks in The Royals, observes Sukanya Verma.