Baroda’s Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad Criticised Bhumi Pednekar, Ishaan Khatter’s The Royals Season 2

Days after the announcement of The Royals season 2, Baroda’s Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad publicly criticised the show for misrepresenting India’s royal heritage. The series, starring Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, premiered on Netflix on May 9, 2025, and garnered a mixed response from viewers and critics alike. Following the renewal of the show for a second season, fans expressed varied opinions. In response, Radhikaraje Gaekwad took to social media to address the inaccuracies portrayed.

Baroda’s Maharani Radhikaraje Gaekwad Criticises Bhumi Pednekar, Ishaan Khatter’s The Royals Season 2

On Instagram, Radhikaraje Gaekwad, Maharani of Baroda, shared her thoughts on the portrayal of royal families in shows like The Royals. She wrote, “The Royal Ignore. One would imagine that India’s royal families—richly documented through photographs, biographies, and media—would be better represented on screen. Yet, the portrayal in The Royals feels disconnected from our reality.”

She reflected on India’s transition post-1947, when the 565 princely states peacefully relinquished sovereignty to help shape a democratic nation. While many royals led with wisdom and service, their legacies are often reduced to stereotypes and outdated notions. Radhikaraje emphasised that, despite losing official privileges, royal families continue to influence society culturally and socially. She highlighted their ongoing contributions across various fields, including governance, hospitality, education, and conservation.

She also pointed out how royal women are increasingly taking leadership roles, safeguarding traditions, festivals, arts, and historic sites. Although they hold no formal power today, they remain respected and inspirational figures within their communities. Concluding her message, the Maharani spoke about the younger generation of royals and their efforts in preserving and promoting their heritage after returning to India post-education. She captioned her post, “What watching The Royals elicited in me…”

Netflix Renews The Royals For Season 2

Meanwhile, Netflix India announced the upcoming second season of the series via Instagram. They posted an image of a throne, tagging Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, hinting at their return. The caption read, “Old money, new blood, and a new season is in the works. The Royals Season 2 is coming soon, only on Netflix.”

For reference, The Royals was created by Rangita Pritish Nandy and Ishita Pritish Nandy and directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana. The series features an ensemble cast including Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, Sakshi Tanwar, Zeenat Aman, Chunky Panday, Nora Fatehi, Milind Soman, Dino Morea, and others.

Also Read: ‘Sophia Shekhar’ Bhumi Pednekar To Reprise Her Role In The Royals Season 2? Here’s What We Know

Akankshya Mukherjee has a passion for creativity and the drive to contribute as a valuable asset to the organisation. She is hungry for learning new skills. For her professional journey, she sees potential growth in communications, content writing, and reporting.