‘Darlings’ director Jasmeet K. Reen to helm Ishaan Khatter’s ‘The Royals’ Season 2, replacing Nupur Asthana

Netflix's romantic comedy series ‘The Royals’ is reportedly heading into its second season with a notable change behind the camera. According to recent reports, filmmaker Jasmeet K. Reen has been roped in to direct the upcoming installment of the Ishaan Khatter-starrer, replacing Nupur Asthana. The development signals a fresh creative direction for the series as work on Season 2 gathers momentum.

Nupur Asthana steps away from the series

According to Bollywood Hungama, reports suggest that Nupur Asthana, who directed the first season alongside Priyanka Ghose, will not return for the new chapter due to prior professional commitments. Asthana is currently occupied with another Netflix project being produced under Ekta Kapoor's banner. While she is moving on to a different assignment, Priyanka Ghose is expected to continue her involvement with ‘The Royals’.

Jasmeet K. Reen, who earned widespread praise for her directorial debut ‘Darlings’, is now reportedly set to oversee the next phase of the romantic drama. The filmmaker made a strong impression with ‘Darlings’, starring Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah and Vijay Varma. The dark comedy-drama was lauded by both critics and audiences, establishing Reen as one of the industry's promising storytellers. With her taking over the reins, viewers can expect a new creative perspective in the world of ‘The Royals’.

‘The Royals’ Season 2 pre-production in full swing

The makers have reportedly already begun preparations for Season 2. According to industry buzz, pre-production is currently underway, with principal photography expected to commence in July 2026. While plot details remain under wraps, the team is said to be actively working on the next installment.

Bhumi Pednekar's exit sparks speculation

The change in direction comes amid reports that Bhumi Pednekar, who starred opposite Ishaan Khatter in the first season, may not return for Season 2. Although there has been no official confirmation from the makers, industry reports have linked her departure to a larger creative overhaul taking place within the series. If true, the second season could feature significant changes both on-screen and behind the scenes.

Jasmeet K. Reen's busy line-up continues

Apart from ‘The Royals’, Jasmeet K. Reen is also attached to another high-profile project. The filmmaker is reportedly set to direct a period drama based on the life of legendary actress Madhubala. The film is being backed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali and is expected to feature ‘Dhurandhar’ actress Sara Arjun in the titular role. Reports also suggest that Reen plans to wrap work on ‘The Royals’ Season 2 before shifting her focus to the much-anticipated Madhubala biopic later this year.

A new chapter for ‘The Royals’

With a new director stepping in and reports of casting changes already making headlines, ‘The Royals’ Season 2 appears to be entering a transformative phase. While fans await official announcements from Netflix, the latest developments indicate that the show's next outing could look quite different from its debut season.