**Can an Outsider Make It Big in Bollywood? | Review of *The Ba***ds of Bollywood***
*The Ba***ds of Bollywood* revolves around Aasmaan (Lakshya), an outsider and a rising Bollywood star who signs a major Karan Johar film alongside Karishma Talwar, the daughter of superstar Ajay Talwar. However, Ajay (Deol) isn’t too pleased with this new development. Alongside the glitz of the film industry, there’s a gripping sub-plot where Aasmaan is chased by the mafia, while he simultaneously struggles to juggle his commitments to Johar and producer Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari).
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### 1. The Show Is Self-Aware, Smart, and Funny
Perhaps the best aspect of *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* is how self-aware, smart, and cheeky it is. The show doesn’t shy away from making tongue-in-cheek references—from Johar humorously calling himself the “film mafia” to Rajat Bedi (known for *Koi… Mil Gaya*) taking multiple jabs at his own prolonged absence from the industry.
Aryan Khan also pokes fun at his own drug controversy and even goes as far as spoofing Sameer Wankhede! These meta moments make the show refreshingly bold and witty.
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### 2. Rajat Bedi’s Important Redemption Arc
Rajat Bedi delivers one of the series’ standout performances, playing Jaraj Saxena—a Bollywood has-been who’s both amusing and lovable. His character not only drives the plot forward but also embodies an underlying tragedy: the fleeting shelf life of fame and the pain that comes when it’s snatched away.
Bedi’s portrayal is among his best and most memorable roles to date, adding depth and emotion to the series.
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### 3. How’s SRK’s Much-Hyped Cameo?
One of the most talked-about moments in the show is Shah Rukh Khan’s cameo during the Filmfirst Awards. SRK brilliantly justifies his brief appearance, and the entire awards segment feels like a loving tribute to the iconic scene from *Om Shanti Om*.
From the on-point cameos to the way Aasmaan’s acceptance speech is filmed, it’s clear that Aryan Khan’s tribute to Farah Khan’s style has hit the mark.
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### 4. Aryan Khan’s Gamble with the Final Twist
The series shines when it mirrors real life. Karan Johar openly discusses nepotism; Aryan’s “omnipresence” is a recurring joke, along with references to his mysterious persona.
Towards the end, the show takes a bold, filmy twist. If renewed for a second season, it’ll be intriguing to see how this twist shapes the central characters’ futures.
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### 5. Areas Where the Show Could Improve
Despite its many clever meta moments and strong performances, *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* has noticeable flaws.
The much-hyped cameos, for example, are hit-and-miss. While some make you smile instantly, others feel wasted. SS Rajamouli, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan receive flimsy dialogues, and their talents aren’t fully utilized. Salman Khan, in particular, only gets a few seconds on screen — a surprising underuse.
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### 6. The Story Is Sometimes All Over the Place
Narratively, the series can feel scattered. The romance between Karishma and Aasmaan is handled superficially, so their love story never quite resonates.
Additionally, characters played by Manoj Pahwa and Juyal, who provide comic relief, are written poorly and lack depth—even though they hold key roles in the plot.
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### 7. Sometimes, the Show Needs to Rein It In
The underworld storyline featuring Arshad Warsi as a don struggles to grab your attention and often competes with the main narrative for screen time.
The show’s ambition is commendable, but it occasionally becomes its own enemy due to the sheer volume of subplots. The tacky VFX during a car chase between Ajay and Aasmaan is also a low point, detracting from what is otherwise a big-budget production.
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### Verdict: Aryan Khan’s Directorial Debut Is Entertaining – 3/5 Stars
*The Ba***ds of Bollywood* is most engaging when it jokes about the film industry and immerses you in the glamorous, mysterious world of Bollywood showbiz. With tighter, more controlled writing and better-developed supporting characters, the series could have been a stronger drama with greater emotional impact.
Despite its fluff and flaws, *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* remains a binge-worthy, humorous, and entertaining watch.
**Rating: 3/5 stars**
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