Another director steps away from The Royals 2; Delhi Crime 2 maker Tanuj Chopra comes on board

Ishaan Khatter plays Prince Aviraaj aka Fizzy in the show. Pics/Instagram, Facebook

Palace dramas usually play out behind closed doors. But this one's playing out behind the camera. Only days after it was heard that director Mitakshara Kumar replaced Jasmeet K Reen on the second season of The Royals (Royalty changes hands in this palace, Oct 16), a new development has taken place. mid-day has learnt that Tanuj Chopra, who previously helmed the second and third editions of Delhi Crime, has taken the directorial reins of the Ishaan Khatter, Zeenat Aman, and Sakshi Tanwar-starrer. Nitya Mehra, who was supposed to direct the Netflix series' four episodes, remains attached.

Tanuj Chopra

That's a lot of changes in the early days of a show. But a source close to the production shared that Chopra replacing Reen is the only shift, and that Kumar was not signed on. "Producers Rangita and Ishita Nandy were in initial talks with Mitakshara; think of it as a soft check. She was excited when the production house reached out to her, but there were apprehensions about whether she would be able to manage a show of this scale. Then the producers, who were speaking with Tanuj about something else, felt he would be perfect for The Royals. Netflix was also keen on him. Mitakshara's name has unnecessarily gotten dragged into the controversy when she neither came on set nor shot a single scene."

Nitya Mehra, signed on to direct the fifth to eighth episodes, remains attached to the project

While their talks with Kumar didn't materialise on this project, the producers have apparently expressed their wish to work with her on another offering.

As for Chopra, he began shooting in Jaisalmer from October 19. He is expected to reshoot some parts filmed by Reen. The source added, "Jasmeet and the makers didn't share the same vision. She was to helm the first four episodes, with Nitya handling the remaining four. After things didn't work out with Jasmeet, the producers called Nitya over and she took charge of the opening episode."

The old guard

Zeenat Aman and Sakshi Tanwar

Ishaan Khatter, Zeenat Aman, Sakshi Tanwar, and Nora Fatehi will reprise their roles, with the latter reportedly enjoying a meatier role this season. Bhumi Pednekkar is no longer part of the series

Welcome the new

Gurfateh Pirzada and Sini Shetty

Sini Shetty will play the romantic lead opposite Khatter this season. Gurfateh Pirzada, Sheeba Chadha, Gajraj Rao, and Sanjay Suri have also joined the cast