Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan, made his directorial debut with the Netflix series "The Ba***ds of Bollywood," a satirical take on the Hindi film industry. The show has garnered attention for its self-deprecating humor and cameos from major Bollywood figures, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan. However, it has also faced controversy, including a defamation suit filed by IRS officer Sameer Wankhede.
In a recent interview, Aryan Khan discussed the approach to comedy in "The Ba***ds of Bollywood," emphasizing the importance of self-deprecation without being disrespectful. He noted that the team maintained this balance carefully, respecting the industry while still making light of its absurdities. "We wanted to be self-deprecating, but not disrespectful anywhere," he stated. "So I think we maintained that line correctly, and the guardrails were self-imposed, mostly because, making something about the industry and being a part of the industry, there has to be — there is a lot of respect".
Aryan Khan clarified that while some scenes draw inspiration from real-life events, the series is not a documentary and exaggerates elements for entertainment purposes. He highlighted that the willingness of people to laugh at themselves is crucial for good comedy. "People being able to take jokes on themselves, I feel, is the first and most important thing about comedy," he said. "Take a joke on yourself and then spread the love. People were extremely sporting, and we also made an effort not to push boundaries in terms of being disrespectful, only being self-deprecating".
The series follows Aasmaan Singh, played by Lakshya Lalwani, as he navigates the chaotic and competitive world of Bollywood. "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" explores themes of nepotism, ambition, and betrayal within the industry. Aryan Khan admitted that the show deliberately blurs the line between fact and fiction when addressing these undercurrents. "In this industry, there are many truths and many lies, often disguised as each other," he explained. "That sense of mystery is what keeps audiences hooked, they may love it, hate it, or be intrigued, but they can't ignore it".
"The Ba***ds of Bollywood" has become a popular show on Netflix in India and has sparked conversations among global audiences. Critics have praised Aryan Khan's directorial debut for its sharp satire and entertaining portrayal of Bollywood's inner workings.
