The Ba***ds of Bollywood Review: Aryan Khan’s Directorial Debut, Cast, Trailer & Verdict
Aryan Khan debuts as a director with The Ba***ds of Bollywood on Netflix. An ensemble cast led by Lakshya Lalwani, Sahher Bambba & Bobby Deol navigate satire, nepotism & Bollywood’s glamour in this seven-episode series. Read full review including trailer insights, direction, strengths & drawbacks.
A cheeky, chaotic ride through Bollywood’s back-stages: Aryan Khan’s debut takes on nepotism, stardom, and meta-humour in a show both glitzy and raw.
Company / Production Background
- The Ba***ds of Bollywood is Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, also serving as co-creator and co-writer.
- The show is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, under Gauri Khan’s banner.
- Writers besides Aryan are Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan.
- Format: 7 episodes, approx 50 minutes each.
The Ba***ds of Bollywood Cast & Key Characters
Here are some of the cast members and what they bring:
| Actor / Actress | Role / Notable Involvement |
|---|---|
| Lakshya Lalwani | Plays Aasmaan Singh, the ambitious outsider actor trying to break into Bollywood. |
| Sahher Bambba | Portrays Karishma, daughter of a superstar (Bobby Deol’s character), central to the industry’s power dynamics. |
| Bobby Deol | Plays Ajay Talvar, a superstar with clout, who tries to shape Karishma’s career. |
| Raghav Juyal | Part of the ensemble, contributing comedic & meta moments. |
| Manoj Pahwa, Mona Singh, Manish Chaudhari, Anyaa Singh, Rajat Bedi, Gautami Kapoor | Supporting cast filling out the world of managers, struggling actors, and industry insiders. |
| Cameo Appearances | SRK (Shah Rukh Khan), Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar, and others appear as themselves or in playful cameo roles. |
Direction & Tone
- Directed by Aryan Khan, his first major project behind the camera.
- Tone is satirical, self-aware, with frequent meta references — nepotism, industry privilege, and Bollywood gossip are not just themes but targets.
- The show mixes dramatized (fictional) conflict with recognizable Bollywood tropes, over-the-top glamour, backstage politics, and cameos.
Official Trailer
- Trailer released early September 2025; promo caught attention with its sharp visuals, dialogues that jab at nepotism, and multiple big-name cameos.
- It introduces Aasmaan Singh’s arc: outsider making it big, but bumping against industry gatekeepers.
- Some standout moments:
- Dialogue like “कुछ हीरो के घर पैदा होते हैं, कुछ हीरो पैदा होते हैं” (“Some are born into star families, others become stars”), which plays into the nepotism debate.
- Cameos of SRK being misidentified, and playful scenes with several Bollywood icons.
- Trailer has crossed large view-counts (50 million+ views), indicating high audience interest.
Strengths & What Works
- Humour & Self-Awareness: The show gains a lot from its meta-humour and ability to laugh at Bollywood cliches.
- Cameos & Star Power: Having major celebrities appear (even briefly) gives it weight and boosts entertainment value.
- Lead Performance(s): Main actors like Lakshya Lalwani are praised for carrying the show.
- Visuals / Set Design / Glamour: The depiction of Bollywood’s glamour—award shows, plush parties, flashbulbs, PR campaigns—is vivid and appealing.
Weaknesses & What Doesn’t Quite Land
- Predictability: Critics say many plot twists are obvious, and the storyline follows familiar tropes.
- Tonal Confusion: Sometimes it’s unclear whether the story is celebrating Bollywood or critiquing it, or both, which can lead to uneven emotional impact.
- Pacing Issues: Some viewers found parts dragging, particularly in early episodes; humour may beat drama in feel, but it takes time to settle.
- Character Depth: While some characters are vivid, others are more archetype-based and less rounded. The lead is liked, but not all supporting arcs feel strong.
Verdict
Rating: About 3 out of 5 stars (some reviews place it around 2.5, depending on expectation).
If you like Bollywood, gossip, satire, and a blend of inside jokes plus glamour, this is a fun binge. It doesn’t break new ground, but it’s entertaining, especially for fans of OTT industry-satire. It may not satisfy those seeking deeper critique or very original storytelling, but as a debut, it’s a decent ride.
