‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’: Bold, brazen Bollywood satire

Bollywood just got a deliciously wicked roast and the chef is none other than Aryan Khan, who has whipped up a seven-episode masala storm with ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’. The flavour is anything but subtle. But here’s the catch, the show isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel. In fact, it’s the same old wheel with some fresh paint and a few extra neon lights.

The series follows the journey of Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya Lalwani), a small-town boy who unexpectedly finds stardom after an action film becomes a surprise hit. Thrust into the glitzy world of the film industry, he soon discovers the darker side of fame. The show traces his rise as an overnight star and the pressures that follow, from navigating exploitative contracts and backroom deals to surviving the constant scrutiny of the media.

Along the way, he meets Karishma Talvar (Sahher Bambba), the daughter of a powerful movie star. Karishma has her own struggles despite her privileged background, as she battles the perception of being just another “nepo kid”. Their lives become intertwined, reflecting two very different journeys within the same world.

As Aasmaan navigates fame, he faces betrayals, rivalries and the temptations that come with power and money. The glamour of Bollywood is always shadowed by scandals and politics and Aasmaan must learn to survive in an industry where one success can lift you to the top, and one misstep can bring it all crashing down.

So, basically Bollywood’s favourite bedtime story. The only twist here is how cheeky Aryan gets while poking fun at his own industry. And that’s the best part. The digs. Aryan doesn’t spare anyone. The industry’s obsession with nepo kids, the way PR spins scandals, the below-the-belt party jokes, the media trials, it’s all there.

If you’re tuned into even half of Bollywood’s scandals from the last decade, you’ll be chuckling like a gossip aunty on speed dial.

The performances are a mixed bag, swinging between solid turns and wasted potential. Bobby Deol, despite being one of the biggest draws in the cast, feels underutilised. His character has flashes of flamboyance and there are moments where you expect him to really explode on screen, but what you get instead is a restrained, almost subdued, version of Bobby, leaving you wanting more.

Lakshya shoulders most of the story and he does it well. He captures the vulnerability of an outsider who suddenly finds himself in the spotlight, and his gradual transformation as the industry begins to consume him comes across convincingly.

Manoj Pahwa, the foul-mouthed Avtar aka Chacha, is the true scene-stealer here. As always, he brings weight, nuance and impeccable timing, grounding the story whenever it threatens to fly off into melodrama.

Raghav Juyal, Aasmaan’s closest friend, surprises with a confident and engaging performance. He slips into his part with ease, bringing both energy and charm.

And one of the most delightful surprises in ‘The Ba***ds’ is the string of cameos sprinkled throughout the series. Big names from the industry pop up in unexpected places — sometimes playing themselves, sometimes spoofing their public image — and these moments instantly lift the show’s energy. These cameos add a layer of fun, making you grin as you spot familiar faces taking a playful dig at the very world they belong to.

Aryan Khan, often labelled as the ultimate “nepo kid”, has done a fairly decent job. He has weaponised his insider status to deliver a satire that is as self-aware as it is scandalously entertaining.

At the end of it all, ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ is less serious storytelling and more like binge-watching a guilty-pleasure gossip vlog with a budget. It’s tacky in places, clever in others, but not boring. If you are in the mood for something playful, star-studded and a little self-indulgent, this could be your call. Just don’t mistake it for high art.