The Ba***ds of Bollywood Review: Stream It or Skip It?

by flickenta · Published September 19, 2025 · Updated September 19, 2025

The Ba***ds of Bollywood poster — Credit : Netflix

Key Takeaways

A chaotic, self-aware roast of Bollywood that's more fun than profound. Bobby Deol & Raghav Juyal shine.
The plot twist redefines "nepotism," but the weak romance & predictable beats keep it from being a classic. Enjoy it as a gossipy binge.
Aryan Khan's debut is slick and confident. It's a love letter to & critique of Bollywood's madness, best for fans who get the inside jokes.

The Ba***ds of Bollywood is not just a title; it’s a statement. The highly anticipated directorial debut of Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood megastar Shah Rukh Khan, is a seven-episode satire that pulls back the glittering curtain on the Hindi film industry. Released on September 18, 2025, on Netflix, this series from Red Chillies Entertainment is a chaotic, self-aware, and often hilarious deep dive into the world of nepotism, PR games, and the brutal price of fame .

But does this insider’s perspective deliver a scathing expose or get lost in its own meta-commentary? Here’s our detailed breakdown and final verdict of The Ba***ds of Bollywood

The Ba***ds of Bollywood Recap: The Rise, Fall, and Family Secrets of Aasmaan Singh

The Ba***ds of Bollywood series scene — Credit : Netflix

The series follows Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya), an “outsider” from Delhi whose debut action film, Revolver, becomes a massive blockbuster. Overnight, he’s thrust into the blinding lights of Bollywood, navigating diabolical contracts, ruthless producers, and fragile egos .

His inner circle includes his loyal best friend Parvaiz (Raghav Juyal), his sharp manager Sanya (Anya Singh), and his supportive family—parents Neeta and Rajat Singh (Mona Singh, Vijayant Kohli) and music-loving uncle Avtar (Manoj Pahwa) .

The central plot kicks in when superstar director Karan Johar (playing himself) casts Aasmaan opposite Karishma Talvar (Sahher Bambba), the debutante daughter of the reigning Bollywood king, Ajay Talvar (Bobby Deol) . Ajay is intensely hostile toward Aasmaan, which everyone interprets as industry rivalry and ego.

As Aasmaan and Karishma’s professional relationship blossoms into a romance, they must contend with Ajay’s sabotage, a scheming producer Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari), and a fading actor Jaraj Saxena (Rajat Bedi) desperate for a comeback .

The series is peppered with subplots, including Aasmaan’s uncle trying to make it as a musician, run-ins with a gangster-turned-producer Gafoor Bhai (Arshad Warsi), and a relentless stream of scandals that threaten to derail Aasmaan’s career at every turn .

The Shocking Ending Explained (Spoiler Alert!)

The finale delivers the series’ biggest twist, which recontextualizes the entire story .

The Big Revelation: During a physical confrontation between Aasmaan and Ajay, Aasmaan’s mother, Neeta, reveals that Ajay Talvar is Aasmaan’s biological father. This bombshell explains Ajay’s relentless hostility; it was a desperate attempt to prevent a romantic relationship between his two children, Aasmaan and Karishma. Their romance immediately ends, and they become allies navigating this shocking family secret.
The Meta Conclusion: Producer Freddy and the desperate Jaraj uncover proof of Ajay’s past affair with Neeta. Freddy then blackmails Ajay into starring in a film based on these very events, titled The Bastards of Bollywood. This movie-within-the-show, starring Ajay, Aasmaan, and Karishma, is the ultimate meta-commentary, turning a private family scandal into public entertainment .
Aasmaan’s Dangerous Deal: With his career in shambles after Ajay’s sabotage, Aasmaan makes a precarious deal with gangster Gafoor Bhai to star in his biopic, tying his future to the underworld with only a verbal agreement .

Character Analysis: Who Steals the Show?

The Ba***ds of Bollywood scene of aryan — Credit : Netflix

Main Cast and Performances

Character	Portrayed By	Role & Impact
Aasmaan Singh	Lakshya	The charismatic outsider. Lakshya carries the film with a true-blue hero presence, though his character’s emotional depth is limited by the script.
Karishma Talvar	Sahher Bambba	The star kid. Bambba performs well, but the romantic chemistry with Lakshya is often cited as one of the series’ weaker elements .
Ajay Talvar	Bobby Deol	The reigning superstar. Deol brings gravitas and a cheeky self-awareness to the role, though it sometimes echoes his Animal persona.
Parvaiz	Raghav Juyal	The best friend. Juyal is the breakout star, providing impeccable comic timing and heart. His scenes are consistently highlights .
Freddy Sodawallah	Manish Chaudhari	The scheming producer. Chaudhari is a “deliciously campy delight,” perfectly embodying the cynical, manipulative side of the industry .

Themes and Tone: A Insider’s Roast

Aryan Khan, having grown up in the industry, delivers a tone that is more affectionate roast than harsh critique. The series excels at meta-humor and inside jokes .

Nepotism vs. The Outsider: The core theme is explored with surprising nuance. The finale’s twist adds a complex layer, suggesting that the “insiders” and “outsiders” might be more interconnected than they seem.
The Price of Fame: The series constantly shows how ambition, ego, and betrayal are part of the daily grind in Bollywood.
Self-Awareness and Satire: From a drug raid scene that cheekily references Aryan’s own past controversies to Karan Johar gleefully playing the “Bollywood mafia” boss, the show doesn’t take itself—or the industry—too seriously .

However, the tone is inconsistent. The shift from sharp, witty satire to sincere melodrama is often jarring, and the emotional moments frequently fall flat because the writing doesn’t support them .

Stream It or Skip It?

Verdict: STREAM IT!

The Ba***ds of Bollywood is a classic case of style and substance not always aligning. It is technically slick but occasionally let down by surprisingly chintzy VFX . Its soundtrack has one standout hit (“Badli Si Hawa Hai”) but the rest is forgettable . The plot is engaging but often predictable, with the much-hyped twist being seen from miles away .

Yet, it’s undeniably watchable. Aryan Khan’s directorial confidence is palpable. He juggles a massive ensemble and countless cameos (from SRK, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, and more) while ensuring the narrative, however scattered, keeps moving . The cameos are pure fan service but are executed with such glee that they work .

This isn’t a groundbreaking exposé. It’s a masala entertainer about the world of masala entertainers. As one critic perfectly summed it up: “It’s meant to be consumed like Bollywood itself: loud, colourful, problematic, indulgent, but great fun if you let it be.”

If you’re in the mood for a fun, gossip-filled binge that feels like reading a juicy blind item come to life, The Ba***ds of Bollywood is your perfect weekend watch.

Rating: ⭐4/5 Stars

FAQs

1. Is The Ba***ds of Bollywood based on a true story?
No, it is a fictional satire. However, it heavily draws from and comments on real-world Bollywood tropes, controversies, and gossip, making it feel familiar to anyone who follows the industry.

2. What is the meaning behind the title?
The title’s meaning is revealed in the finale. The “bastards” refer to those in the industry who “bastardize” art and personal trauma for commercial gain and box office success, as the characters literally make a movie out of their own scandal.

3. How is Aryan Khan’s direction?
Aryan Khan’s directorial debut is confident and stylish. He successfully creates a glitzy, meta, and fast-paced satire, though the tonal shifts between comedy and drama can be uneven.