Recent buzz surrounds Aryan Khan's directorial debut, the Netflix series "The Ba***ds of Bollywood," a satirical take on the Hindi film film industry. Since its release, the show has garnered attention for its narrative, performances, and fresh cast. However, speculation and rumors have also emerged, particularly regarding Aryan Khan's role as director.
One prevailing question has been whether Aryan Khan truly directed the series or if a "ghost director" was involved. Adding fuel to the fire, Aryan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, has often been perceived as serious and reserved in public appearances. This perception contrasts with the demands of directing, which often requires a more outgoing and communicative personality.
Sahher Bambba, who plays Karishma Talwar in "The Ba***ds of Bollywood," has stepped forward to dispel these rumors and offer insights into Aryan Khan's directorial style. In an interview with ETimes, Bambba refuted the notion that Aryan is always serious, stating, "Aaryan is always smiling and always laughing and always making the other person laugh. I think he's the funniest person in any room. He's so funny, so witty". She further added that he possesses a "childlike mischievousness".
Bambba also praised Aryan's ability to maintain a playful atmosphere on set while remaining disciplined in his directorial approach. She revealed that Aryan kept the shocking sibling-twist climax a secret from the cast until the last moment. This decision, according to Bambba, was to preserve the impact of the twist and ensure that the actors' performances were not influenced by prior knowledge of the ending.
In an interview with SCREEN, Bambba shared that Aryan would even act out the characters, including the female roles, showcasing his understanding of each character's nuances. She expressed her admiration for his acting skills, stating, "Aryan, despite coming from the family that he does, if you ask him to play a mountaineer or a village, he'll ace it. You've to see him perform like we did". She also added, "He's very, very good as an actor,” and "I keep telling him, 'Please, I'm waiting for you to perform as an actor on screen".
Anya Singh, another actress in "The Ba***ds of Bollywood," also lauded Aryan Khan's direction, noting that Shah Rukh Khan gave his son complete creative freedom on set. She described Shah Rukh as respectful and understanding that it was Aryan's project, allowing him to take full creative control.
The series itself is co-written by Aryan Khan, Bilal Siddiqi, and Manav Chauhan. It stars Lakshya Lalwani, Raghav Juyal, and Bobby Deol. The plot revolves around Aasmaan Singh, an outsider who becomes a Bollywood success, navigating industry politics and a complicated romance. A significant twist in the finale reveals a hidden connection between Aasmaan and Karishma's family.
Despite the positive reception, "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" has faced some controversy. Sameer Wankhede, a former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer, has sued Aryan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Netflix for defamation, claiming that a character in the show parodies him. It's worth noting that Wankhede was involved in Aryan Khan's arrest on drug charges in 2021, of which Aryan was later cleared.
Regardless of the legal issues, Aryan Khan's work on "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" marks his official entry into the film industry.
