Zeenat Aman To Star In Netflix’s ‘The Royals’ Alongside Bhumi Pednekar And Ishaan Khatter
Veteran actress joins ensemble cast for the OTT series addressing power dynamics and royalty.
Jehangir Irroni is a filmmaker and creative director with over 18 years of experience in directing ad films, corporate videos, web series, and television shows. As assistant vice president - Videos at IncNut Digital, Jehangir is involved in producing and directing videos and infomercials.
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Veteran actress Zeenat Aman has announced her participation in the upcoming Netflix series ‘The Royals,’ set to premiere on May 9. The celebrated star shared the news through her Instagram account, posing a provocative question to her followers: “Who rules the world – ek upstart prince ya ek startup queen? 🧐💖👑”
The Instagram post features a promotional image for the series, which appears to contrast themes of traditional royalty against modern entrepreneurial power, suggesting an intriguing clash of old and new worlds.
Star-Studded Ensemble
The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring contemporary stars alongside veterans of Indian cinema. It features Bhumi Pednekar and Ishaan Khatter in lead roles, with supporting performances from Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Milind Soman, Dino Morea, and Chunky Panday.
The project comes from Pritish Nandy Communications, with prominent production credits including Pritish Nandy, Rangita Pritish Nandy, and Ishita Pritish Nandy, suggesting a significant investment in the series’ production values.
About ‘The Royals’
While specific plot details remain under wraps, the promotional material and caption hint at a narrative centered around power dynamics between traditional royalty and self-made business leaders. The tagline “Who rules the world – ek upstart prince ya ek startup queen?” (Who rules the world – an upstart prince or a startup queen?) suggests a confrontation between inherited privilege and earned success.
This series marks a continuation of Zeenat Aman’s recent career resurgence. The legendary actress has been selectively choosing projects that offer substantial roles for seasoned performers. In a previous Instagram post from April, she mentioned shooting for ‘The Royals’ in Jaipur last year, revealing she purchased bags from Nila in Jaipur during the production.
At 73, Zeenat Aman continues to maintain her position as a cultural icon in Indian entertainment. Born in 1951, she revolutionized the image of female leads in Indian cinema during the 1970s and early 1980s with her modern, confident screen presence and fashion-forward styling.
Her recent social media presence has introduced her to newer generations, with the actress often sharing thoughtful reflections on her career and personal philosophies. In one recent post, she addressed Gen Z followers, noting: “My inbox is filled with fans from your generation asking me about my retro fits, favourite designers, go-to accessories. Everyone wants to know my ‘secret’. The truth is I don’t have one. I just do that boring old thing – try to stay true to myself.”
In January 2024, Aman was honored as “Icon of the Year” at an event organized by Hollywood Reporter India, where she spoke about the evolving landscape for women in entertainment. According to her Instagram, she used her acceptance speech to highlight “how the entertainment industry is now being shaped by women,” urging colleagues to “support one another and push for pay parity.”
Upcoming Projects And Collaborations
Beyond ‘The Royals,’ Zeenat Aman appears to be exploring various creative avenues. In early April, she announced a special musical evening in Kolkata, inviting fans to “Step into a world where music and cinema were inseparable, where melodies told stories, and every note held a memory.”
The actress also recently participated in a session at India by the Creek in Dubai, where she engaged in a public conversation about her life and career. She noted that “moderated conversations are my favorite sort of public engagement. With the right moderator, the stories can flow! I may find myself recalling memories I had forgotten or introspecting on my life choices in new ways.”
‘The Royals’ joining Netflix India’s expanding slate of original productions featuring established film stars alongside emerging talent highlights how the streaming platform has been investing heavily in content that appeals to both traditional viewers and younger audiences.
Fans of Zeenat Aman, Bhumi Pednekar, and Ishaan Khatter can mark their calendars for May 9, when ‘The Royals’ premieres exclusively on Netflix.
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