The Ba***ds of Bollywood has debuted on Netflix. The satirical action comedy drama is directed by debutant Aryan Khan, better known as Shah Rukh Khan's son. Featuring Lakshya Lalwani, Sahher Bambba, Bobby Deol, Raghav Juyal, Anya Singh, Mona Singh, Gautami Kapoor, Manoj Pahwa, Rajat Bedi, Manish Chaudhari, Arshad Warsi, Vijayant Kohli and others, it tells the story of an "ambitious outsider and his friends navigating the chaotic, larger-than-life, yet uncertain world of Bollywood".
Many critics have lauded Aryan Khan for his "audacious and fearless" approach. The show is described as "unapologetic" and "unfiltered," with digs at the industry that raised him. Reviewers appreciate how it tackles hot-button topics like nepotism, PR games, and the backroom politics of Bollywood with wit and self-awareness.
On the negative side, some critics feel the show is tonally confused. It tries to be a satire, a comedy, and a drama all at once, which can make it feel like it's "not self-aware, and not fun enough" at times. A recurring criticism is the "gratuitous swearing" that doesn't always feel natural. Some find the humor to be "juvenile" and "pedestrian," which can be a turn-off for a broader audience.
The show has drawn comparisons to previous films about Bollywood, such as Luck By Chance and Om Shanti Om, leading some to feel that certain plot points or ideas feel like déjà vu.
The Ba***ds of Bollywood is streaming on Netflix.
