While social media has seemingly brought Bollywood stars closer to the public, a deep curiosity for what truly goes on behind the scenes remains. Filmmakers like Farah Khan, Zoya Akhtar, and Karan Johar have previously tapped into this fascination, offering glimpses through their entertaining movies and candid chat shows.
Now, debutant Aryan Khan continues this tradition, pulling back the curtain to expose a potent blend of industry gossip, news, and scandalous revelations. His new series delivers a sharp critique of Bollywood’s ‘movie mafia’ – as described by Karan Johar in the show – highlighting their elaborate antics and underlying hypocrisy.
Utilizing his unique access to his father’s circle of friends and industry peers, Aryan doesn’t craft a tribute, but rather a bold, subversive statement. He playfully satirizes these well-known figures, challenges their public personas, and even pokes fun at his critics, culminating in a dramatic twist that would make any classic Bollywood director proud. The show’s insider perspective doesn’t create friction; instead, it provides a thrilling and authentic experience, setting ‘Ba**ards of Bollywood’ apart from past industry satires like ‘Tees Maar Khan,’ giving it more substance than ‘Om Shanti Om,’ and more vibrancy than ‘Luck By Chance.’ It’s when the hidden title fully reveals itself that the true essence of the series comes to life.
Series Details:
- Title: Ba**ards of Bollywood (Hindi)
- Director: Aryan Khan
- Cast: Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, Sahher Bamba, Anya Singh, Bobby Deol, Mona Singh, Manoj Pahwa
- Episodes: 7
- Synopsis: A young man from Delhi strives to establish himself in the challenging world of Bollywood, only to encounter resistance from the industry’s established powers.
Masterfully blurring the lines between reality and imagination, this seven-episode series chronicles the ascent of Aasman Singh (played by Lakshya), a Delhi outsider, as he navigates his path to Bollywood stardom. Aryan swiftly addresses themes like nepotism, exploitative producers, the criminal underworld, manipulated media, drug culture, and the fleeting nature of celebrity. While the dialogue can be edgy, the underlying emotions are profound and universally resonant. Beneath the glamorous exterior, a subtle layer of satire and inclusive values subtly unfolds.
Shah Rukh Khan in ‘The Ba**ards of Bollywood’. | Photo Credit: Netflix
Aasman’s self-assured demeanor, sharp wit, and resilience against adversaries are reminiscent of a young Shah Rukh Khan. The heartwarming friendship between Aasman and the lively Pervaiz (Raghav Juyal) forms the emotional core of the series, while the romantic spark between Lakshya and Karishma (Sahher Bamba) adds a youthful energy. Complemented by Anya Singh as Aasman’s spirited manager, the perfectly cast ensemble elevates even the most anticipated plot points, keeping viewers thoroughly captivated.
In a clever nod to an audience more fascinated by the cunning tactics of powerful film moguls protecting their own than by the acting prowess of a few brooding stars, Bobby Deol delivers a truly unexpected and powerful performance in the series.
Deol, after a considerable period, taps into his inherent acting strength, delivering an impactful portrayal of Ajay Talwar, the veteran star determined to prevent his daughter, Karishma, from debuting alongside an outsider. Mona Singh transcends the typical ‘sweet mother’ role, offering a nuanced performance, and Manish Choudhary ensures that the arrogant, over-the-top producer character feels remarkably authentic, not a mere caricature.
Manoj Pahwa once again proves his reliability as the resilient uncle, a character who never received his rightful recognition within the industry. The series is further elevated by strategically integrated cameos from industry titans like Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, S.S. Rajamouli, Ranveer Singh, Arshad Warsi, and Shah Rukh. Complementing the narrative, Anirudh Ravichander and Shashwat Sachdev deliver an electrifying soundtrack that seamlessly shifts between intoxicating and vibrant moods. It’s time for Ghafoor to truly shine!
You can watch ‘Ba**ards of Bollywood’ now on Netflix.