The Royals on Netflix showcases Indian nobles as nincompoops
Set in the fictional town of Morpur, the recently-released The Royals has been received rather poorly by reviewers. 'There are queer royals, royals having affairs, and royals who would rather be a chef. Though just portraying hollow stereotypes, this supporting cast emerges to be the minor redeeming factor in a script that otherwise overly relies on less than impressive performances...', stated a recent review in The Hindu, that also highlighted the show's few interesting storylines.
Making headlines for its exotic locales, over-the-top apparel, and a rather clumsy storyline, the show has also irked a few royals across the country. In a detailed letter to Netflix that was posted on Instagram, Anshu Khanna, founder of The Royal Fables (a heritage platform to showcase the craft and heritage of Princely India) outlines the many ways the show has put Indian royals in poor light: portrayal of women and widows, extravagant attires, to name a few.
'Anything on royalty is of interest to us, and I was excited to watch the show. But after viewing the entire series, I found nothing unique in the story. There's no depth,' says Anshu.
She is of the opinion that no research was done when putting the show together. 'It portrays stereotypes we need to break. For instance, it showcases decadent people, who don't need to work for a living, playing polo. And then, not knowing what to do with their palaces that are falling apart.'
The portrayal of women in The Royals is also something that irked Anshu. 'The women characters are seen as mindless creatures, sitting around, wearing a lot of jewellery. In reality, royals wear delicate diamonds and floral chiffons. The show has the women wearing heavy jewellery sets and organza, linen apparel.' Indian royalty, she says, is doing so much more today. 'They are artists, politicians, running schools, and more.'
Several people have shared similar concerns on the post that has over 1,000 comments since it was posted yesterday.
Given the show is a work of fiction, do these arguments carry weight? 'Even if a show is fictionalised, the portrayal needs to be accurate. If you are making a show on Gandhi, for example, you can't show him in a discotheque. You need to get the context right,' she says, 'The portrayal of Indian royals on the show is trivial and unreal. There are many different themes to set a romance in.'
Indian royalty, says Anshu, have seen a paradigm shift in their lifestyle over the last 20 years. 'Villages have become cities, and many royals have collaborated with hotels and turned palaces into heritage homestays. Most royals stay in the palaces while entertaining guests. So the show doesn't bring anything new to the table.'
Anshu concludes, 'I felt bad to see royals showcased as nincompoops, and wanted to speak up. I don't have any intentions to sue anyone.'
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