The Royals: Directors Priyanka Ghose and Nupur Asthana on working with Zeenat Aman and navigating the world of entertainment

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Created by Rangita and Ishita Pritish Nandy, the eight-episode series unfolds as a contemporary romantic saga where the old-world charm of palaces and Indian royalty come face-to-face with glass-walled boardrooms. The show, about two people from completely different backgrounds, nailed the casting by roping in Ishaan and Bhumi as its romantic leads. Priyanka, who did several readings with the lead actors, says: “As Ishaan and Bhumi embody Aviraaj and Sophia respectively, they brought different aspects of their personality to the table and that’s enriching.” The Royals’s ensemble cast also features Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, Nora Fatehi, Dino Morea, Milind Soman and Chunky Panday.

Nupur was initially reluctant to take up the series as she was disappointed that another show she had worked on for months was shelved. She was, however, excited to work with some of her former collaborators Rangita and Ishita. “Rangita wanted to mount the story big and she got those beautiful locations in Rajasthan for the show,” says Nupur, who shot her portions in Mumbai and Rajasthan. Recounting her experience of shooting in Rajasthan in winter, Rangita talks about a scene that required Ishaan to come out of a swimming pool. “Even though it was bitter cold and Ishaan was shivering, he ungrudgingly took a dip in the pool for multiple takes,” says Nupur, sounding a bit apologetic about it.

She is equally apologetic about Aman having to wait for five hours for a shot. “For over two days, I was shooting a ball dance sequence which featured almost the entire cast. Zeenat ji came to Versova for the rehearsals even though she didn’t have to. On the day of its shoot, she had to wait for her shot for five hours. When I apologised, she said: ‘Darling, you are doing your job’,” recalls Nupur and adds that assurance was a stress-buster for her. “It was her way of empowering me,” Nupur says.

Priyanka and Nupur both started their journey in the world of performing arts when they were in college. Priyanka was studying at Kolkata’s St Xavier’s College, where she did her post-graduation in economics, when she started acting and directing plays as did Nupur while studying English literature at Delhi’s Lady Shri Ram College for Women and later while pursuing her post-graduation in Social Communications Media at Mumbai’s Sophia Polytechnic.

The first time Priyanka found herself on a movie set is when she was selected as an intern for Mira Nair’s The Namesake (2006). After moving to Mumbai in 2005, she worked as an assistant director on several movies including Karzzzz (2008), Rush (2012) and Anjaana Anjaani (2010). Later, she worked for almost a decade as a director of ad films and music videos. The first large format show she worked on was when she directed several sequences in Aarya (2020).

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After her masters, Nupur assisted director Ketan Mehta and subsequently, became the chief assistant director on his Aar Ya Paar (1997). Her career got a major boost when she wrote and directed teen drama Hip Hip Hurray (1998-2001) and, later, YRF Television’s Mahi Way (2010). Nupur debuted as a feature director with Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge (2011) and followed it up with romantic comedy Bewakoofiyaan (2014). “Today, streaming video services have created more opportunities. I am always looking for fresh challenges. Next, I want to direct a feature,” says Nupur.

Though Priyanka too harbours the ambition to direct a feature soon, she is yet to come across a suitable story. “I have a knack for mainstream commercials. I am keen to choose stories that give me a chance to explore action thrillers, horror or rom-com,” she says, currently working on another web-series.

For Priyanka, what’s heartening is that women directors, technicians and other members of a crew are today taken seriously. “When I started working in Mumbai nearly two decades ago, barely five women used to be on the sets. Today, half of my crew are women. They are getting their due. Still, it’s not all hunky-dory. We still have to prove ourselves every time. That’s unfair. However, it is good to be part of this world,” she says.