The Bads of Bollywood Review: Aryan Khan packs a power-packed masala punch in his directorial debut

Ba***ds of Bollywood

‘The Bads of Bollywood,’ directed by Aryan Khan, began streaming on Netflix from 19th September and stars Bobby Deol, Lakshya, Sahher Bambba, Raghav Juyal, Manoj Pahwa, Manish Chaudhari, Mona Singh, Rajat Bedi and Anyaa Singh.

A masala debut that embraces the chaos

It is tempting to write off Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, ‘The Bads of Bollywood’—a series that never takes itself too seriously, revelling in over-the-top performances and exaggerated plot points. But dig deeper and you’ll find a show that ticks all the boxes of entertainment.

With comedy, drama, action, and romance blended in measured doses, it delivers a full-fledged masala package that directors like Rohit Shetty, Farah Khan, and David Dhawan would proudly endorse. Self-aware and gleefully mocking clichés, its biggest strength lies in how it laughs at itself. In that sense, Aryan firmly establishes that his storytelling instinct leans toward unabashed, mainstream fun.

A plot full of twists and industry references

The story follows Aasmaan (Lakshya), a newcomer whose debut film, ‘Revolver,’ becomes a blockbuster, landing him in the crosshairs of powerful producers. Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari) signs him for a three-film deal, but soon, Karan Johar (playing himself)—happily dubbing himself the “Movie Mafia”—spots Aasmaan for his own project starring Karishma (Sahher Bambba), daughter of superstar Ajay Talvar (Bobby Deol).

Power games, clashing deals, and financial troubles push Freddy into reviving his old hit ‘Sailab,’ only to face rejection from Ajay. As egos collide and loyalties shift, the industry machinations play out with tongue-in-cheek energy.

It’s a plot that moves with a breezy pace, never pausing long enough to take itself too seriously.

Performances that serve the spoof

Judging performances here almost feels beside the point, given the series thrives on exaggeration. Lakshya Sen plays Aasmaan with wide-eyed energy, matching the tone of the script. Sahher Bamba fits the bill as Karishma, while Bobby Deol as Ajay Talvar offers the most restrained act of the lot.

The supporting ensemble—Raghav Juyal, Manoj Pahwa, and Manish Chaudhari—keep the show lively and ensure the humour doesn’t wear thin. Every actor seems in on the joke, which makes the excesses easier to enjoy.

Cameos, nepotism, and self-referential jabs

Adding to the fun are walk-in appearances by Ranveer Singh, Aamir Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Arshad Warsi, and even SS Rajamouli, all game to parody themselves.

Aryan Khan cleverly folds in Bollywood’s hot-button topics, from nepotism to drugs, with cheeky nods like a narcotics officer uncannily resembling Samir Wankhede.

Hashmi turning up as a substitute intimacy coordinator or Salman Khan muttering “Baap hi to nahi banna hai” underlines how the show turns industry stereotypes into punchlines. These cameos may feel indulgent, but they double up as knowing winks to the audience.

A satirical spoof with popcorn appeal

At its core, ‘The Bads of Bollywood’ is a satire dressed as a spoof, throwing playful punches at everything Bollywood stands for. The caricatured characters, industry in-jokes, and irreverent tone reveal Aryan Khan’s unapologetic commercial sensibilities.

While critics may argue the series lacks substance, it demands to be enjoyed with a pinch of salt and a tub of popcorn. In a landscape where many shows strain for seriousness, this one dares to revel in silliness. Aryan’s debut might not break new ground, but it confidently announces his flair for spectacle.

If this is just the beginning, it will be interesting to see how he balances satire with substance in the future.

Rating: 3.5/5