‘You Cannot Rehearse That’: Bhumi Pednekar Opens Up About Chemistry With Ishaan Khatter in ‘The Royals’
As anticipation builds for Netflix’s upcoming romantic drama The Royals, actress Bhumi Pednekar is offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into her chemistry with co-star Ishaan Khatter — especially when it comes to filming intimate scenes.
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Bhumi and Ishaan, starring together for the first time in the regal rom-com directed by Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana, didn’t leave anything to chance when it came to building comfort for the more vulnerable moments on-screen. During a recent conversation with Zoom, the actress revealed that they both took part in intimacy workshops and spent a significant amount of time simply being around each other off-camera.
“Ishaan fairly knows a lot about my life and vice versa, which created a lot of comfort,” Bhumi shared. “I went into this knowing that I would have to not have inhibitions around him.”
That sense of trust wasn’t just rehearsed — it was lived. Bhumi emphasized how the connection they developed off-screen flowed naturally into their performances, making the intimate scenes feel authentic and safe. And what she appreciated the most? The silences.
“I cherished the quiet moments with Ishaan the most.” You can’t rehearse that. It can’t be written, it just happens.”
It’s that unspoken comfort that Bhumi believes adds depth to their on-screen relationship.
In a separate chat with Just Too Filmy, the Badhaai Do actress also joked about the rarity of not being objectified in her role in The Royals. Though she noted she hasn’t faced much objectification in her career, she couldn’t resist teasing her co-star.
“It was a pleasure to be a part of this program, and let’s be honest, Ishaan is really snackable. She giggled. “I’ve seen people go weak in the knees around him.”
A Star-Studded Rom-Com With a Royal Twist
The Royals, created by Pritish Nandy Communications, is a fantastic love story between a young man from an aristocratic family and a motivated entrepreneur. The performance, set against a large and sumptuous background, strikes a mix between contemporary romanticism and regal customs.
Zeenat Aman, Dino Morea, Milind Soman, Chunky Panday, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, and Luke Kenny are among the series’ cast members. With such a varied cast and a new main relationship, the program promises drama, elegance, and a lot of romance.
The Royals releases exclusively on Netflix on Friday, May 9, 2025.