If you thought Bollywood was all glitz, glamour, and dance sequences in slow motion, Aryan Khan’s new series The Bads of Bollywood is here to politely (or not so politely) remind you that there’s a lot more behind the curtain. Nepotism, rumors, cameos, chaotic ego clashes—this show leans into all the messiness. And yes, it’s as entertaining as it sounds.
What is The Bads of Bollywood?
- Release Date: September 18, 2025
- Platform: Netflix
- Format: A seven-episode series, with each episode running roughly 50 minutes.
So yes, it’s not a full-length movie but more like your weekend guilty pleasure bing-watch. The kind that keeps you coming back because curiosity got the better of you.
Who’s In It: The Star Cast & Big Names
The roster is packed—both with marquee names and fresh faces. Classic Bollywood recipe: veteran salt + new spice + some unexpected flavor. Here are the key players:
Leads & Ensemble Cast
- Lakshya Lalwani plays Aasmaan Singh, a newcomer to Bollywood trying to find his footing.
- Sahher Bambba is his counterpart, with a storyline that involves her relationship with her father (played by Bobby Deol).
- Bobby Deol, Mona Singh, Anya Singh, Gautami Kapoor, Manoj Pahwa, Rajat Bedi, Manish Chaudhari, Vijayant Kohli, Rohit Gill among others.
Cameos & Celebrity Appearances
Because what’s a Bollywood insider series without almost everyone dropping by?
- Shah Rukh Khan appears as himself and also provides voiceover narration.
- Also, cameo appearances / special appearances from big names like Emraan Hashmi, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Karan Johar, Sara Ali Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, etc.
Behind the Scenes
- Writer-producers: Aryan Khan co-created and co-wrote this with Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan.
- Produced by Gauri Khan under Red Chillies Entertainment.
Plot Vibes: What to Expect (Chaos, Ego & Drama Included)
Without spoiling too much, The Bads of Bollywood thrusts us into the messy innards of the film world. Here’s what the series explores:
- Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya) enters Bollywood with dreams, but also with the shadow of nepotism, ghosted auditions, power dynamics.
- Relationships between newcomers and industry veterans; expectations vs reality; rumor mills; the weight of one’s name in Bollywood (yes, we’re talking legacy, comparisons, and favouritism).
- Satire is the tool: dialogues, characters, plot points intentionally poke at Bollywood gossip, scandals, and infamous incidents. Sometimes self-aware, sometimes uncomfortable.
Why The Bads of Bollywood Is Buzz-worthy (Yes, Even If You’re Cynical)
Because it gives you all the things you complain about on social media—but in premium OTT form. Here are some of the reasons people are talking:
- Aryan Khan stepping up: This is his directorial debut. The son of Shah Rukh Khan, with all the spotlight and scrutiny that brings. It’s not easy to balance expectations when your last name is King Khan.
- Cameos = crowd-pullers: Every time a cameo appears (especially when the actor plays himself or some version of a tabloid rumor), it tips the scale from “just another series” to “I must watch”.
- Satire + snark: The narrative doesn’t pretend everything in Bollywood is rosy. It mocks, teases, reveals ugly bits. For those of us tired of movies that gloss over the dark side, this is appealing.
- Relatability (somehow): While you may not want to be a Bollywood star, almost everyone has experienced pressure, rejection, comparisons. That emotional core can land even in flamboyant settings.
Some Quirks & What Might Not Land
Because every show has its trade-offs, and The Bads of Bollywood is no exception.
- The title has three asterisks (Ba***ds) which has stirred curiosity: why censor? is it for shock value? humor? PR?
- With so many cameos and references, there’s a chance some viewers (especially those less immersed in Bollywood gossip) might miss nuances or feels lost.
- The expectations are sky-high (because of SRK, because of Aryan, because of hype). Sometimes hype is the worst enemy of satisfaction.
Aryan Khan: From Kid in the Paparazzi to Director
Given that your secondary keyword is Aryan Khan, let’s focus on him, because this project is his gauntlet.
- Aryan isn’t just “SRK’s son doing something with daddy’s banner”. He’s involved as writer, creator, director. Co-writing with Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan.
- Production backing: Red Chillies Entertainment, a powerhouse in Bollywood.
Advantage: resources, reach, audience.
Disadvantage: bigger comparisons and more scrutiny. - He’s stepping into a tricky genre: insider satire. It invites criticism from all sides – fans, critics, industry folks. One wrong joke, one miscast cameo, perception can swing. So far, early reviews seem to think “he killed it” (yes, that phrase is being used).
- Also, there’s meta: fans are spotting parallels between this show and glimpses of reality (rumours, gossip, actual past controversies). Whether intentional or not, that adds fuel to the fire. And that’s both a creative risk and a promotional boon.
Final Thoughts: Is The Bads of Bollywood Worth Your Time?
If you like your Bollywood a bit raw, messy, and self-aware, The Bads of Bollywood is likely to be a treat. If you expect pure escapism, gloss, and zero indictment of the industry, you may find it uncomfortable in places. But maybe that discomfort is the point.
Aryan Khan has jumped into the deep end with this one. He’s not just directing; he’s narrating, commenting, poking. The show might not be perfect (few are especially with this many moving pieces), but it’s bold. And in Bollywood, boldness sometimes beats perfection.
So grab some popcorn, switch off notifications about reality TV, and dive into the chaos. Because Bollywood isn’t all roses, sometimes it’s thorns, backstabbing, dazzling hypocrisy. And The Bads of Bollywood wants to show you exactly that.
