Aryan Khan's directorial debut, "The Ba***ds of Bollywood," has garnered significant attention since its release on Netflix on September 18, 2025. The series, a satirical take on the Hindi film industry, is created, co-written, and directed by Aryan Khan and produced by Gauri Khan under Red Chillies Entertainment. It features a star-studded cast including Bobby Deol, Lakshya Lalwani, Raghav Juyal, and Sahher Bambba.
The series follows Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya), an actor from Delhi whose debut film becomes a hit, propelling him to stardom. He then signs a film with Karan Johar, starring opposite Karishma Talwar (Sahher Bamba), the daughter of superstar Ajay Talwar (Bobby Deol). The narrative explores themes of nepotism, power struggles, and the hidden politics within Bollywood, with a touch of humor.
The show's title, initially presented with asterisks, generated curiosity. While Shah Rukh and Aryan Khan initially stated the title was "The Bads of Bollywood," the series eventually reveals the full title: "The Bastards of Bollywood". The ending includes a major plot twist, exposing a hidden familial connection between Ajay and Aasmaan. A scene depicts producer Freddi Sodahwallah (Manish Chaudhari) and his new partner Jaraj Saxena (Rajat Bedi) blackmailing Ajay Talvar and forcing him to do a film with Karishma and Aasmaan, which they reveal will be titled "The Bastards of Bollywood". This sets the stage for a potential season 2.
"The Ba***ds of Bollywood" incorporates real-life incidents and controversies, fictionalizing them within its narrative. For example, the series recreates Shah Rukh Khan's 2012 ban from Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, stemming from a fight with a security guard. The show also alludes to Kartik Aaryan's removal from Karan Johar's "Dostana 2".
Aryan Khan's series has been described as a "meta playground" that provides insights into the film industry. It draws on Aryan's experiences growing up in Bollywood's inner circle, incorporating anecdotes and observations only accessible to someone with his background. The series doesn't shy away from self-deprecating humor, with Aryan poking fun at himself, his past, and the industry.
The premiere of "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" was a star-studded event, attended by Bollywood luminaries and Aryan's classmates. A classmate, Rhea Goenka Jalan, shared that the afterparty lasted until 4 am. The series features cameo appearances by 21 celebrities, including Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Shah Rukh Khan.
"The Ba***ds of Bollywood" has garnered positive reviews, with critics praising Aryan Khan's direction, story, screenplay, and the performances of the cast. The series has also made a splash on the global stage, with a billboard displayed in Times Square.
