Congress MP Shashi Tharoor recently found himself at the center of online debate after sharing his enthusiastic review of Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, The Ba***ds of Bollywood. Tharoor, known for his eloquent commentary, lauded the series as ‘absolute #OTT GOLD,’ a ‘true storytelling powerhouse,’ and a ‘masterpiece,’ admitting he was ‘irresistibly hooked.’
However, his positive remarks drew sharp criticism from some netizens who accused him of accepting payment for his endorsement. Comments ranged from questioning if he was engaging in ‘paid tweets for Bollywood’ to suggesting his praise for the series looked like ‘Paid PR’ from Shah Rukh Khan’s team. One user even claimed it was a ‘new side business’ for Tharoor.
Addressing these accusations directly, Tharoor took to social media to set the record straight. He responded to a critical comment by stating, “I’m not for sale, my friend. No opinion I express has ever been paid for by anybody, in cash or in kind.”
In his detailed review, Tharoor had praised Aryan Khan’s directorial vision, calling the series a ‘masterpiece’ and highlighting its sharp writing and fearless direction. He also included a personal note for Shah Rukh Khan, saying, “from one father to another, let me say: you must be so proud!!” The series, which explores the behind-the-scenes world of Bollywood, has generated considerable buzz, and Tharoor’s endorsement clearly made a significant impact, albeit with unintended consequences.