Cameos, controversies, chaos — Aryan Khan blends satire with star power in this entertaining directorial debut
Aryan Khan Directs a Satirical Love Letter to Bollywood — And Himself
Aryan Khan, in his much-hyped directorial debut, delivers an unexpectedly sharp, self-deprecating, and scandal-laced series that neither flatters nor condemns Bollywood — but simply embraces the madness.
“The Ba***ds Of Bollywood” is messy, meta, masala-filled, and undeniably binge-worthy.
Plot Overview
At the heart of the seven-episode drama is Aasmaan Singh (played by Lakshya), a Delhi outsider who hits big with an action blockbuster. His stardom pulls him into the power games of Bollywood, where studio boss Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari) signs him into a multi-film deal, just as Karan Johar offers him a romantic drama opposite Karishma (Sahher Bambba), the daughter of superstar Ajay Talvar (Bobby Deol).
What follows is a wild ride through the darker, glossier corners of the industry — PR spin, broken friendships, drug scandals, and the constant tightrope between optics and authenticity.
Cameos Galore & Inside Jokes That Hit
Aryan’s phonebook becomes a flex.
- Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan — they all show up in blink-and-miss (or not-so-miss) moments.
- Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Emraan Hashmi — all poke fun at their own image.
- Karan Johar, often accused of “Bollywood mafia” behavior, delivers one of the best one-liners: “Don’t mess with the mafia.”
There’s even a cheeky nod to Aryan’s own drug case, wrapped in a punchline that somehow works: “Say no to drugs.”
What Works
Tone: Equal parts satire, drama, and parody
Humour: Sly, smart, sometimes laugh-out-loud
Performances:
- Raghav Juyal is the show-stealer with incredible timing and presence
- Lakshya gets the full Bollywood hero arc
- Manish Chaudhari brings gravitas
Meta Moments: From fake award shows to sold-out critics and intimacy coaches
Production: Polished visuals, slick edits, and well-placed product plugs (yes, Aryan’s clothing line too)
What Doesn’t Work
What Doesn’t Work
- The romantic subplot between Aasmaan and Karishma lacks chemistry
- Some melodramatic beats feel forced
- A predictable twist near the end robs the finale of a big impact
- Side plots like the underworld track (featuring Arshad Warsi) feel like filler
- The music, aside from “Badli Si Hawa Hai”, doesn’t stand out
Final Verdict
Aryan Khan’s “The Ba***ds Of Bollywood” is not perfect — and that’s exactly why it works. It’s chaotic, indulgent, sharply funny, and often too clever for its own good. But at no point does it feel dishonest. It’s a love-hate letter to the industry — and to himself — served with humour, candour, and more star power than any debut deserves.
By the final episode, one thing is clear: Aryan knows what he’s doing — and he’s here to stay.
| Title | The Ba***ds of Bollywood |
|---|---|
| Cast | Lakshya, Sahher Bambba, Bobby Deol, Raghav Juyal, Anya Singh, Manish Chaudhari, Mona Singh, Manoj Pahwa, Rajat Bedi, Vijayant Kohli, Gautami Kapoor |
| Director | Aryan Khan |
| Format | Web Series (7 Episodes) |
| Platform | Netflix |
