**Can an Outsider Make It Big in Bollywood? A Review of *The Ba***ds of Bollywood***
*The Ba***ds of Bollywood* revolves around Aasmaan (Lakshya), an outsider who is rapidly rising to stardom in Bollywood. After signing a major Karan Johar film opposite Karishma Talwar—the daughter of superstar Ajay Talwar—Aasmaan soon finds himself navigating the complex world of the film industry. However, Ajay (Deol) isn’t thrilled about this pairing. Adding to the drama is a sub-plot where Aasmaan is being chased by the mafia, all while juggling his commitments to Johar and producer Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari).
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### 1. A Self-Aware, Smart, and Funny Take on Bollywood
One of the best aspects of *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* is how smart, self-aware, and cheeky the show is. It doesn’t shy away from poking fun at the industry, with Karan Johar referring to himself as the “film mafia.” Rajat Bedi (known for *Koi… Mil Gaya*) takes multiple jabs at his own long absence from films, while Aryan mocks controversies surrounding himself, even going as far as spoofing Sameer Wankhede! The show’s witty meta-commentary keeps the tone fresh and engaging.
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### 2. Rajat Bedi’s Crucial Role and Redemption Arc
Bedi plays Jaraj Saxena, a Bollywood has-been who brings both humor and depth to the series. His character drives much of the plot forward and provides a lovable figure you can’t help but root for. Beneath the comic surface lies an underlying tragedy: exploring the fleeting nature of fame and what happens when it slips away. This is among Bedi’s most memorable performances to date and adds an emotional layer to the story.
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### 3. SRK’s Much-Hyped Cameo
One of the standout moments in the show is Shah Rukh Khan’s cameo during the Filmfirst Awards segment. His brief appearance is hilarious and perfectly executed. The entire awards sequence feels like a loving homage to the iconic scene from *Om Shanti Om*. From the cameos to the way Aasmaan’s winning speech is shot, this segment is clearly Aryan’s tribute to director Farah Khan.
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### 4. A Gamble with the Final Twist
The series truly shines when it mimics real life—the candid discussions about nepotism, mentions of Aryan’s “omnipresence,” and jokes about his mysterious public persona add layers of authenticity. Toward the end, the show takes a distinctly filmy twist, which may set the stage for further developments should the series be renewed. It will be interesting to see how this surprise shapes the future of the central characters.
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### 5. Areas Where the Show Could Improve
Despite its many meta moments and strong performances, *The Ba***ds of Bollywood* has some noticeable flaws. The much-anticipated cameos, for example, are a mixed bag. While some bring instant smiles, others feel wasted. Icons like SS Rajamouli, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan receive minimal screen time and flimsy dialogues, with Salman Khan appearing only for a few seconds without significant impact.
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### 6. Narrative Weaknesses
While the series largely benefits from its humor and acting, its narrative lacks strength in places. The love story between Karishma and Aasmaan remains underdeveloped, making it difficult to buy into their romance. Additionally, comic relief characters played by Manoj Pahwa and Juyal, despite being pivotal, suffer from poor writing and insufficient depth.
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### 7. Overambition and Uneven Subplots
The mafia sub-plot, involving Arshad Warsi as a don, struggles to find its footing and often competes for attention with the main storylines. The series sometimes feels overwhelmed by its own ambition, attempting to juggle too many elements at once. A notably disappointing moment is the tacky VFX used during a car chase between Ajay and Aasmaan, which undermines the overall production value expected from such a big show.
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### Verdict: Aryan’s Debut Directorial is Entertaining but Imperfect — 3/5 Stars
*The Ba***ds of Bollywood* is most enjoyable when it humorously exposes the inner workings of the Bollywood machine, immersing viewers in the allure and mystery of showbiz. With tighter writing and more fully developed supporting characters, the series could have delivered a stronger dramatic impact. Nonetheless, despite some narrative fluff and uneven moments, it remains binge-worthy, funny, and entertaining.
**Rating: 3 out of 5 stars**
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