BY NAMITA DOGRA SUDAN*
Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, has made an impressive debut as a director with his Netflix series, “The Ba***ds of Bollywood.” The seven-episode show offers a spicy, entertaining, and sometimes chaotic look inside the glitzy yet tough Hindi film industry, packed with celebrity cameos and insider jokes.
Plot
The story follows Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya), a young actor from Delhi who becomes a rising star. He stars alongside Karishma Talvar (Sahher Bambba), daughter of superstar Ajay Talvar (Bobby Deol). The series shows their struggles in Bollywood, dealing with powerful producers, jealous rivals, and the complicated politics of the industry. Aasmaan also gets involved with Gafoor Bhai (Arshad Warsi), an underworld figure who controls some of the money and influence in film production. The show builds to a surprising and fresh climax that many younger viewers will appreciate.
One of the intriguing aspects is the title itself, “The Ba***ds of Bollywood,” which keeps a mystery throughout the show. The full title is only revealed at the end, connecting deeply with the story and characters. This clever naming adds curiosity and meaning, making you want to watch the entire series to understand why the show is named this way
Actors and Cameos
Lakshya and Sahher Bambba deliver solid performances as the lead pair. Bobby Deol reminds viewers of his earlier charm (Soldier and Gupt Era). Arshad Warsi stands out as Gafoor, the underworld fixer, adding a mix of wit and danger. The series includes many cameos by Bollywood’s biggest stars like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amir Khan, Rajamouli, Badshah, Rajkumar Rao, Arjun Kapoor, Karan Johar, and Ranveer Singh, often playing fun or exaggerated versions of themselves.
The supporting cast delivers strong performances that add depth and fun to the series. Mona Singh brings warmth and emotion to her role, while Raghav Juyal provides sharp comic relief with great timing. Manoj Pahwa shines with his hilarious and lovable portrayal, adding humor to tense moments. Other supporting actors like Manish Chaudhari and Rajat Bedi also stand out, giving the show a lively and realistic feel beyond the stars. Together, they help balance the drama and keep the story engaging.
Positive Points
The series mixes humor and sharp inside jokes about Bollywood’s politics and scandals. Aryan Khan does a great job showing the dark side of the industry, including the underworld’s role, with courage but also wit, never making it just grim but often quite clever.
The series also adds a fresh layer by showing the underworld’s influence on Bollywood, with Arshad Warsi’s Gafoor being a smart, multi-dimensional character rather than a cartoon villain.
The show’s surprising ending is made for Gen Z audiences, bold and different from typical Bollywood finales, and likely to be loved by younger viewers.
Negative Points
Despite its strengths, the show sometimes feels slow or crowded with too many side stories. It doesn’t have the tightness or emotional depth. The adult content and language mean it is rated “A” and not suitable for kids or family viewing. Some parts could have been sharper, and Aryan Khan’s first effort shows where he still has room to grow.
Comparisons with “Om Shanti Om”
The show’s award ceremony scene mirrors the famous Award ceremony from “Om Shanti Om” where Shahrukh Khan delivers his famous dialog ‘Jab kisi cheez ko shiddat se chaho’ on stage. It also features stars roasting themselves in a glamorous setting, blending tribute and satire to capture Bollywood’s fun and madness.
Comparisons with “Luck By Chance”
“The Ba***ds of Bollywood” shares many themes with “Luck By Chance”, the newcomer doing a movie with a star kid, falls in love and comes across the harsh reality of Bollywood’s politics. Karan Johar plays a bigger role here, showing the power and nepotism that runs the industry.
Final Verdict
“The Ba***ds of Bollywood” is a lively, sardonic take on the Hindi film world. It’s packed with laughs, surprises, and a star-studded cast that makes it a fun watch. While it’s not a flawless masterpiece, the series is a promising debut for Aryan Khan, marrying insider knowledge with entertaining storytelling. Bollywood fans and binge-watchers looking for a mix of humour, drama, and industry gossip will find plenty to enjoy here.
With 3.5/5, The Ba***ds of Bollywood is no masterpiece or cult but an honest try from a superstar kid.
