'Do Some Research and Homework': Royal Fables Slams The Royals for 11 Inaccurate Depictions of Indian Royalty
The recent Netflix release of The Royals, featuring Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, has ignited a fiery debate among royal groups in India. The series, based on a fictional royal family battling financial woes, has been panned for presenting contemporary royals as "idle, poor, and outdated.
The recent Netflix release of The Royals, featuring Ishaan Khatter and Bhumi Pednekar, has ignited a fiery debate among royal groups in India. The series, based on a fictional royal family battling financial woes, has been panned for presenting contemporary royals as "idle, poor, and outdated." Royal Fables, a heritage platform, took to Instagram to voice their discontent, pointing out 11 "false narratives" in the series.
The 11 False Narratives: A Closer Look
The royal family portrayal in the show is not how things actually are, according to Royal Fables. These are the 11 points they've made:
1. Royal families are not poor: Royals in the show living hand to mouth is anything but true. Royalty in real life are successful business people who have been able to adjust well to changing times.
2. Palaces are a challenging thing to preserve: Maintaining and restoring a 400-year-old palace is not an easy task. It needs a lot of effort, funds, and know-how to maintain its historical significance.
3. Successors are heritage-building entrepreneurs: Contemporary royals are not only guardians of their legacy but also entrepreneurs who have managed to implement innovative methods of preserving their inheritance.
4. No privy purse anymore: The privy purse was abolished in 1971, a major shift in the coffers of royal families. Selling family jewels, though, as depicted in the show, is not quite true.
5. Ravi Varma painting: An expensive error: The show's point of plot regarding Bhumi's character giving away a priceless Ravi Varma painting has been questioned by Royal Fables. They argue that such a painting would be worth hundreds of crores and would never be given up for sale.
6. Royals don't sit at home idle: Unlike the show will have you believe, royal families are engaged in all sorts of professions, ranging from politics and business to the arts and beyond.
7. Royal women: In excess of bridal jewelry: The show's portrayal of royal women sporting bridal jewelry as a matter of course is not true. They actually wear glorious diamond pieces that have been inherited from past generations.
8. Modern royalty: Dignified and restrained: The show's representation of royal decor and art as pompous and extravagant is not quite true. Royal Fables assert that their decor is oftentimes restrained but dignified.
9. No longer 'ugly red sofas': The royal interiors in the show have been panned as cringeworthy. Royal Fables assert that their residences are elegantly furnished by a profound appreciation of their heritage.
10. More than polo and horses: The show's insistence on the polo-player horse-riding stereotype is out of touch and incorrect. Royal Fables appeal that such stereotypes not be perpetuated in the future.
11. Plea for sensitivity and research: Royal Fables has asked Netflix to be more sensitive towards India's royal legacy and heritage. They have demanded proper research done prior to portraying the royals on screen.
The Show's Synopsis: A Rom-Com with a Royal Twist
Despite the controversy surrounding The Royals, the show's synopsis promises a lighthearted and entertaining watch. The series follows the story of Prince Aviraaj, played by Ishaan Khatter, and Sophia, an entrepreneurial girl boss played by Bhumi Pednekar, as they navigate the realms of royalty and startups.
Royal Fables and improve on having more understanding
The backlash against The Royals emphasizes the need for proper representation and research in depicting sensitive issues such as royalty. Although the show might have some supporters, there's a need to hear and consider the issue brought by Royal Fables and improve on having more understanding and sensitivity in the future.
