I just finished watching Aryan Khan’s Netflix debut “The Ba*ds of Bollywood”, and honestly, it’s one of the boldest projects to hit Indian streaming this year. Aryan steps into the director’s chair with surprising confidence, pulling back the curtain on the chaos, arrogance, and self-obsession of the film industry — but with a wink and a smirk instead of moral preaching. The show feels like a cocktail of satire, scandal, and self-awareness, mixing reality with absurdity in a way that only someone raised in the heart of Bollywood could pull off.
The series follows Aasmaan Singh, a starry-eyed newcomer trying to survive a world full of powerful producers, fading superstars, and hungry gossipmongers. What makes the story click is how real the atmosphere feels; the dialogue crackles with insider jokes and self-deprecating humor. Aryan doesn’t shy away from calling out nepotism, hypocrisy, or ego clashes — and yet, the tone is clever enough to entertain rather than offend.
On the technical front, Aryan shows he’s inherited his father’s cinematic instincts. His sense of framing and rhythm is impressive for a debut, and he extracts solid performances from his cast, especially Lakshya Lalwani and Sahher Bambba. Bobby Deol steals scenes with natural charm, while the cameos from industry heavyweights add spice without feeling unnecessary. Still, the series isn’t without flaws. Some episodes drag unnecessarily, pacing feels uneven in the middle, and certain effects look cheaper than you’d expect from a Red Chillies production. It’s ambitious, but at times you can sense the weight of that ambition slowing it down.
At its best, the show is sharp, fearless, and funny; at its worst, it tries too hard to be edgy. Aryan relies a bit too much on profanity and shock humor, which dulls the more emotional undercurrent hidden beneath the glitz. Despite that, there’s undeniable honesty in his storytelling. It’s clear this isn’t just an imitation of his father’s grandeur but a statement of his own style — youthful, opinionated, and unapologetically chaotic.
Watching “The Ba*ds of Bollywood” feels like reading a tabloid written by someone who actually loves the people inside it. It’s not perfect, but it’s entertaining, gutsy, and full of promise. For Aryan Khan, this is a strong start — one that proves he’s willing to take risks and laugh at himself while doing it.
Final verdict? Three out of five stars. It’s slick, scandalous, and smart enough to keep you hooked, even if it occasionally trips over its own ambition. If you enjoy witty Bollywood satire wrapped in unfiltered glamour, this series is absolutely worth a watch.
