Ishaan Khatter, star of Netflix’s The Royals, shared that he clashed with the show’s creators over being objectified in repeated shirtless scenes. The actor called out the superficial choices made for his character, saying some scenes didn’t require him to be shirtless at all.
Star of Netflix’s The Royals, Shaan Khatter, has disclosed that he complained to the show’s creators about being too objectified. The actor admitted in an open interview with Mashable India that he frequently didn’t agree with the way some sequences were going, especially when his character was naked for no apparent plot purpose. “It’s that kind of character who doesn’t wear a shirt,” Ishaan acknowledged. “But I did fight with them on certain days, saying, ‘I can wear a shirt in this scene. It doesn’t require him to be shirtless.’ He stated that the crew devised creative methods to incorporate those moments, such as covering him with a blanket during sleep periods.
The Royals, a romantic comedy-drama, featured Bhumi Pednekar, Zeenat Aman, Nora Fatehi, Milind Soman, and others. Despite criticism for its thin plot and varied reviews, the program became one of Netflix’s most popular shows. Ishaan’s portrayal, while visually appealing, attracted attention to its explicit spotlight on his physical appearance, which he confessed was a source of disagreement behind the scenes.
Ishaan had to grow a muscular body in preparation for the part, but for his next film, Homebound, directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, he had to shed 8 kg to seem more natural and grounded. He shared that the director specifically asked him to ‘look normal’. Homebound, co-produced by Karan Johar and executive produced by Martin Scorsese, won a standing ovation at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, highlighting Ishaan’s expanding influence on global cinema.
