THE BA***DS OF BOLLYWOOD – REVIEW(NETFLIX)

The Bads of Bollywood is a satirical web series streaming on Netflix, marking the directorial debut of Aryan Khan (yes, Shah Rukh Khan’s son), co-created with Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan. The entire seven-episode roller coaster dropped on September 18, 2025.

There’s no slow burn here — no buildup, no tease. The series dives headfirst into the loud, brash, and unapologetically mad world of Bollywood. No pretense, no subtlety. The screenplay screams OTT (not just Over The Top, but also Over The-Top-Of-Every-Emotion-Possible). It’s a carnival of gaudy glamour and melodrama, where every cliché is celebrated, not hidden.

On one hand, it feels like a stretched-out version of every Bollywood trope we’ve ever seen. The staging, sets, and scenes are replicas of the industry’s own history, and while the series hides behind the camouflage of “spoof,” for the most part it feels uninventive and, dare I say, a bit dumbed down.
That said, the series does have its share of sparkle. The innumerable cameos — popping up like surprise crackers in Diwali — keep you hooked for a while. There are laugh-out-loud moments, yes, but once the initial euphoria wears off, the narrative becomes as predictable as, well… Bollywood itself. The climax does bring in a surprise twist. But does it actually work? That depends entirely on how indulgent you’re willing to be.
Aryan and team fire a barrage of potshots — at actors, at the industry, at its hypocrisies. For those who “get” Bollywood, it will be a cheeky inside joke. For the rest, it may just pass over the head like a flying dupatta in a windy climax scene. From drugs, affairs, mafia, dons, and chauvinism to sex, racism, and even incest — this series throws in everything Bollywood has ever been accused of and more. But beneath all this noise, does it actually say something deeper? Or does it end up being a spoof of its own spoof? That’s the real question.

Lakshya Lalwani holds his ground amidst a glittering ensemble, though the Ranbir Kapoor shadow looms in parts.Bobby Deol, in his second innings, seems to be having the time of his life and is steadily setting the bar higher for himself.Saher Bambbha is serviceable but doesn’t quite leave a mark.Raghav Juyal brings in a certain rawness that makes this feel less like parody and more like performance.The rest of the cast? A slew of characters, each playing their part well enough without tipping the boat.

On the technical front, Jay Oza’s cinematography deserves a mention — glossy, slick, and grand. The production design is lush and indulgent, as expected. Nitin Baid’s editing, however, feels passé and could have been tighter. Background score and music are decent but nothing groundbreaking. Dialogues land where they need to, and for a debutant, Aryan Khan’s direction is noteworthy — confident, if not entirely original.

In the end, The Bads of Bollywood feels like a seventy-course meal served in just seven episodes. It’s indulgent, it’s stuffed, it’s everything all at once. If you’ve got the appetite — binge it this weekend. If not, maybe wait until you’re ready for a Bollywood buffet that doesn’t believe in portion control.

THE BA***DS OF BOLLYWOOD – BRASSY !!

2.5/5

B.U.Shreesha