‘The Royals’ Season 2: Bhumi Pednekar exits the Ishaan Khatter starrer, makers pivot from central romance to family saga

After the first season of ‘The Royals’ received a mixed yet widely discussed response, the makers quickly moved ahead with plans for a second instalment. However, the upcoming season is now expected to look quite different, as reports suggest that Bhumi Pednekar has stepped away from the Netflix drama. The show, which also featured Zeenat Aman in her OTT debut, is likely to explore a new narrative path beyond the original romance track.According to Mid-Day, reports stated that the creative team is now more interested in exploring the larger family dynamics and world-building established in the debut season rather than continuing the love story at its centre. According to the reports, “When you do a romance, it is the story that leads. When the show came out, what resonated [with the audience] was the family, Ishaan [Khatter], Sakshi [Tanwar], Zeenat, and the world of ‘The Royals’, which feels different.”The insider further clarified that Bhumi’s departure was not due to any disagreement or fallout. “We left season one at an unresolved romance. There was no decision to carry it forward. There was no fight with Bhumi. The makers are simply letting the story lead forward organically in the second season,” the source added.Reports suggest that Bhumi has now shifted her attention toward darker and more layered characters. The actor is reportedly in discussions for a courtroom drama backed by the makers of ‘Haq’ (2025). Apart from that, she is also said to be collaborating with Imran Khan on what insiders describe as his much-awaited Netflix comeback project.“Bhumi is also set to feature opposite Imran Khan in what insiders describe as his long-awaited comeback film for Netflix. The project, currently under wraps, has been in development for some time,” the report stated. Additionally, the actor is expected to return for ‘Daldal 2’, a project that reportedly aligns more closely with the intense storytelling space she has been gravitating toward in recent years.Following the release of the first season of ‘The Royals’, Bhumi Pednekar had openly addressed the criticism and online backlash she received. In an earlier conversation with Mid-day’s ‘Sit With Hitlist’, the actor admitted that the constant scrutiny had deeply affected her emotionally. “The noise became so loud that I couldn’t hear my own creative voice anymore. When you are told every day that you ‘don’t look like yourself,’ it starts to seep in. I felt numb,” she confessed.Even though the romantic storyline may no longer remain the core focus, sources maintain that the second season will continue exploring the world and relationships introduced in the first instalment. With characters played by Ishaan Khatter, Sakshi Tanwar, and Zeenat Aman receiving positive attention from viewers, the makers are reportedly keen on deepening those arcs in the upcoming season.Away from film sets, Bhumi recently took a break to focus on personal growth and new experiences. During her time off, the actor travelled extensively, spent time reading, launched her mineral water brand, and even completed a course at Harvard University.