Padakkalam (2025) Movie: Ishaan Khatter’s Royal Romance Falls Short Despite Netflix Budget
When Netflix dropped The Royals this May, I was curious about this royal-meets-startup premise. Bhumi Pednekar plays Sophia, a business owner who crosses paths with Prince Aviraaj. Ishaan Khatter brings his usual charm to the royal role alongside veterans like Zeenat Aman.
The show tries mixing palace politics with modern relationship drama. Directors Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana focus heavily on visual storytelling. The basic plot revolves around saving a royal family’s crumbling finances through hospitality business.
What Works and What Doesn’t
The palace sequences look absolutely gorgeous with rich costumes and grand architecture. Every frame screams luxury production values that Netflix clearly invested in. Zeenat Aman brings her A-game with perfect comic timing as the sassy grandmother.
Unfortunately, the main romance lacks genuine spark between the leads. I kept waiting for that magical moment when their chemistry would click. The story follows every romantic comedy rule book without adding anything fresh or surprising.
Performance Breakdown
Ishaan Khatter handles the prince character well enough but nothing groundbreaking here. His royal attitude comes across naturally though some emotional scenes feel rehearsed. Sakshi Tanwar and Vihaan Samat deliver solid supporting work throughout.
Bhumi Pednekar seems uncomfortable in her entrepreneur role from the start. Her portrayal feels disconnected from the strong independent woman the script demands. The supporting cast including Nora Fatehi gets limited screen time despite their star power.
Technical and Creative Elements
The cinematography captures royal grandeur beautifully with sweeping palace shots and rich colors. Costume designers clearly understood the assignment with period-appropriate royal wear mixed with contemporary business attire. Music remains forgettable with no standout tracks.
Writing becomes the series’ biggest weakness with dialogue that sounds unnatural during key moments. I noticed several scenes where conversations felt scripted rather than organic. The pacing drags during romantic sequences that should have been the highlight.
Overall Verdict
The Royals works as weekend binge material if you’re looking for something light. The production quality keeps you engaged even when the story doesn’t. However, comparing it with other Netflix Indian originals, this feels like a missed opportunity.
Critics have been harsh about the predictable storyline and weak central chemistry. Audiences seem split between those enjoying the escapist entertainment and others wanting more substance. The series delivers visual treats but lacks emotional depth.
Rating: 2.5/5
