Netflix faces backlash from India’s royal families over Ishaan Khatter's The Royals drama series
Real-life royals aren't happy with the trite way in which they are being represented
Netflix’s The Royals, starring Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, may be packed with drama, but it’s the real-life royals of India who are now serving the tea—and they’re not amused. While the show attempts to portray the glamorous-but-broke lives of a fictional aristocratic family, a heritage collective called Royal Fables has accused it of everything from misrepresentation to historical blasphemy.
In an impassioned Instagram post “on behalf of the 565 princely states of India,” Royal Fables let Netflix know exactly how they felt. Spoiler alert: it was not subtle.
“We just finished watching The Royals and immediately felt the strong urge to reach out...”
Translation? Are the real-life royals clutching their pearls? Absolutely.
And not the Netflix kind—these are authentic heirloom pearls passed down through generations, thank you very much.
“We don’t sell Palaces for bat poop”
One of the more colourful criticisms from Royal Fables is the show’s portrayal of Indian royals as broke and desperate.
“Royal families are not poor. They are not selling their palaces or making money from bat poop! They are landowners and inheritors of a rich legacy they are monetising,” the note declared.
Apparently, a palace-to-Airbnb pipeline isn’t just unrealistic—it’s offensive.
Ravi Varma who?
Royal Fables also took issue with a now-infamous scene in which Bhumi Pednekar’s character gifts a Raja Ravi Varma painting to a Rajmata. The issue?
“Surely no Ravi Varma that costs hundreds of crores is ever sold. How could your smart CEO gift one in the hope of starting a homestay?!”
Basically, if you’re gifting a painting that could buy the entire homestay four times over, you may want to rethink your business plan.
Royals are modern, not museum pieces
Another gripe: the show allegedly depicts royals as idle, out-of-touch relics of the past. But Royal Fables insists that today’s royal descendants are anything but.
“They are educated and employed citizens who run NGOs, hotels, serve in the army, work as artists, and even helm top hospitality chains.”
So no, they’re not all lounging in embroidered poshaks and sipping gin on velvet sofas. Though speaking of sofas…
“Ugly Red Sofas” and Overdressed Sarees
Yes, even the décor caught flak. Royal Fables took aim at everything from the gaudy interiors to the blinged-out wardrobes.
“Overdressed bridal jewellery” and “ugly red sofas” apparently don’t scream authenticity.
They suggested that real royals prefer chiffon, pearl strings, and elegance over Karan Johar-esque opulence.
Interestingly, social media users are having a field day with this drama.
Internet reacts: “Touch some grass, Maharani”
While Royal Fables may have thought they were defending India’s cultural legacy, social media wasn’t ready to bow down. The internet exploded with memes and mockery:
“Touch some grass, maharani.”
“Oh no, the rich and privileged weren’t depicted accurately.”
“Cry me a Yamuna, Your Highness.”
“This feels like the plot of The Royals... part 2.”
Others slammed the note as out-of-touch and elitist, wondering if this was really the hill to die on in 2025.
So, what’s the real Iisue?
At its core, this clash isn’t just about bad sofas or fictional plotlines—it’s about how former Indian royals want to be seen in modern pop culture. Are they graceful custodians of history? Or just another juicy character type in a binge-worthy Netflix drama?
Either way, one thing’s for sure: the real-life royalty just turned this saga into its own very public episode—and they’re clearly not done reigning over the narrative.
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