The BA***DS of Bollywood

Aryan Khan's directorial debut delivers a surprisingly mature and entertaining satirical take on Bollywood that succeeds far more than it stumbles. "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" works because it doesn't just mock the industry... it understands it intimately, creating characters and situations that feel authentic while maintaining sharp comedic edge.

Lakshya Lalwani anchors the season with a charismatic performance that grows stronger with each episode, while Sahher Bambba provides excellent support as both romantic interest and industry insider. The supporting ensemble, particularly Bobby Deol, brings depth to what could have been caricatures.

The season's greatest strength lies in its insider knowledge, with 27+ celebrity cameos that feel organic rather than gimmicky. Episodes 1-2 and 6-7 represent the series at its satirical peak, while mid-season episodes experience predictable but minor growing pains.

Khan's direction shows remarkable confidence for a debut, successfully balancing meta-commentary with genuine character development. The shocking finale twist recontextualizes the entire season while setting up intriguing Season 2 possibilities.

While not every episode hits the same heights, the season maintains consistent quality and delivers on its ambitious premise of creating an insider's satirical love letter to Bollywood.

Setting aside the fluff of nepotism and beyond the indelicate self-aware nature of the series, it is an excellent popcorn flick. Sure it is not perfect. In fact, it is painfully evident that this series is a directorial debut. The writing is all over the place, the characters are not as impactful as intended and the big twist, while pleasant, took forever to arrive.

This however, does not take away from the wonderful performances of the cast and the sheer scale of the production! We may not remember every scene and dialogue from this series; it may live on thanks to the lovely songs but the highest credit of the series is that it is inoffensive and forgetful the minute you switch it off. So until then, enjoy the meta, dark and scandalous self-aware jokes nearly imitating the Bollywood in aamchi Mumbai!

Aryan Khan's much awaited Netflix debut The Ba***ds of Bollywood, delves into the underbelly of the film industry, with a mix of satire, drama and masala. With the bold title and Aryan's directorial debut under Red Chillies Entertainment, expectations were high. While the series has its moments, it's far from perfect.

The show starts off strong, pulls you into the chaos of Bollywood. Most episodes are engaging, with dark humor and celebrity cameos that add to the meta-Bollywood feel. But the pacing is uneven-some episodes fly by while others drag. It's the kind of series that keeps you hooked but sometimes tests your patience.

Rated "A" for heavy use of bad language which feels natural in the raw tone. Episode 6 has a scene that might make some uncomfortable for few people

The cameos are the highlight and let's be real this wouldn't have been possible without Shah Rukh Khan's pull. From Salman Khan to Ranveer Singh, these appearances create buzz but add nothing to the story.

By Episode 7 the chase sequences are flat with bad VFX that stick out like a sore thumb. The production values and technical quality is decent but not great which is surprising given Red Chillies' reputation.

Aryan Khan shows promise in his debut but The Ba*_ds of Bollywood_ is trying too hard to impress. The series is unapologetically "mass masala" with insider jokes, gritty drama and Bollywood chaos but not for everyone.

Verdict:

If you love Bollywood gossip, satire and meta moments you'll find something to like here. But if you're looking for polished storytelling or groundbreaking execution this might disappoint. Aryan's debut is decent but not great.

Overall : 3/5.

The Bads of Bollywood is getting a lot of buzz for being bold, flashy, and entertaining. People like how it pokes fun at Bollywood itself - from nepotism to scandals - in a way that feels sharp and self-aware. Aryan Khan's direction is being praised as confident for a debut, with viewers saying he's brought in an engaging style and high production value.

The series also benefits from its star-studded cameos - Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Karan Johar and more - which fans feel add extra charm. At the same time, the lead actors Lakshya Lalwani and Sahher Bambba are earning appreciation for their chemistry and for bringing a fresh outsider's perspective to the story.

Overall, audiences are calling it "filmy, fun, and engaging," with polished visuals and a glamorous presentation. Social media reactions suggest people are excited and see it as a promising start for Aryan Khan as a director.

Not terrible, not terrific - somewhere right in the middle, Bats of Bollywood plays out like an average entertainer. What makes it watchable is the way it mixes the usual Bollywood masala with a cheeky, self-aware 'meta' touch. The film doesn't try to reinvent the wheel, but it throws in enough familiar flavors - drama, comedy, romance, and exaggerated moments - to keep the audience engaged.