The Khan Legacy Continues - But Behind the Camera

Unlike most star kids who choose the spotlight, Aryan Khan has carved his own path by stepping behind the camera for his Bollywood debut. The 27-year-old son of the King of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan, has written, created, and directed this Netflix original series that promises to be one of the platform's boldest offerings of 2025.

The Bads of Bollywood marks a significant milestone not just for Aryan but for the entire Khan family, with the series being produced by Gauri Khan under the prestigious Red Chillies Entertainment banner.

Release Details and Streaming Information

• Release Date: September 18, 2025
• Release Time: 12:30 PM IST (unusual for Netflix's typical midnight drops)
• Platform: Netflix (exclusive)
• Episodes: 7 (all released simultaneously)
• Genre: Satirical action-comedy drama
• Language: Hindi with multiple subtitle options

The series is now streaming globally on Netflix, requiring a subscription to access all episodes.

Star-Studded Cast and Performances

Main Cast

The series features an impressive ensemble cast led by:

• Lakshya Lalwani as Aasmaan Singh - An ambitious outsider with dreams as big as the silver screen
• Sahher Bambba as Karishma Talwar - A fellow star grappling with her own ambitions
• Bobby Deol as Ajay Talwar - A powerful superstar and Karishma's father
• Raghav Juyal as Parvaiz - Aasmaan's loyal best friend
• Anya Singh as Sanya - Sharp-tongued manager
• Mona Singh as Mrs. Neeta Singh - Aasmaan's supportive mother
• Manoj Pahwa as Avtaar Singh - Aasmaan's uncle
• Gautami Kapoor as Anu Talwar - Ajay's wife and Karishma's mother

Celebrity Cameos

One of the series' biggest highlights is its star-studded cameo appearances, including:

• Shah Rukh Khan (Aryan's father)
• Salman Khan
• Aamir Khan
• Karan Johar
• S.S. Rajamouli
• Ranveer Singh
• Disha Patani
• Rajkummar Rao
• Arjun Kapoor
• Siddhanth Chaturvedi
• Sara Ali Khan
• Badshah

Plot and Storyline

The Bads of Bollywood follows the journey of Aasmaan Singh, a struggling newcomer from Mumbai who dreams of making it big in the Hindi film industry. The series explores the chaotic, larger-than-life world of Bollywood through the eyes of an ambitious outsider navigating the industry's complex power dynamics.

The story delves into contemporary issues plaguing Bollywood, including:

• The insider vs. outsider debate
• Nepotism controversies
• Power struggles within the industry
• The price of fame and success
• Behind-the-scenes politics and manipulations

As Aasmaan rises to fame, he clashes with superstar Ajay Talvar (Bobby Deol) and falls in love with Ajay's daughter Karishma, adding layers of drama and conflict to the narrative.

Critical Reception and Reviews

Early Industry Response

The series has received positive initial reactions from industry insiders:

• Kuldeep Gadhvi (Actor-turned-critic): "What a storm you have created! This is easily one of the finest Netflix series I have seen. The story is explosive - the way it showcases Bollywood and presents the film industry is absolutely marvelous."
• Sujoy Ghosh (Filmmaker): "After a long time had great fun watching the ba**ds of bollywood. Laughed my head off... we need happiness. My gratitude to aryan & the team for the laugh."*
• Netflix Co-CEO Ted Sarandos: "He's a very good director. The show is fun, sharp, and full of humor. It explores Bollywood in a way that feels fresh and authentic."

Mixed Audience Reactions

However, audience reception has been polarized:

Positive Reviews:

• Praised for its self-aware humor and tongue-in-cheek take on the industry
• Appreciated for Aryan Khan's bold directorial vision
• Commended for its entertaining portrayal of Bollywood's chaos

Negative Reviews:

• Some viewers felt disappointed by the over-the-top tone
• Criticism for misleading promotional content (particularly regarding a Tamannah song that wasn't included)
• Mixed reactions to the satirical approach

The Bollywood Connection: Key Personalities

Shah Rukh Khan's Pride

The King of Bollywood has been instrumental in supporting his son's venture, even appearing in promotional content where Aryan directs him. SRK's pride in his son's achievement was evident during the star-studded premiere at Mumbai's Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC).

Ranbir Kapoor and Industry Support

The premiere saw massive industry support with stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Alia Bhatt, Kajol, Ajay Devgn, Karan Johar, and the Ambani family attending to show their solidarity with Aryan's debut.

Larissa Bonesi: The Rumored Romance

Adding to the buzz around the series is Larissa Bonesi, the Brazilian model-actress who is rumored to be Aryan Khan's girlfriend. She has been vocal in her support for Aryan's creative ventures, attending the premiere in a stunning black gown and previously sharing enthusiastic posts about the series, calling Aryan "number one" and "unstoppable."

Music and Soundtrack

The series features original music by:

• Shashwat Sachdev (Original Score)
• Ujwal Gupta (Songs)
• Anirudh Ravichander (Songs) - notably his first collaboration with Aryan Khan

Notable tracks include:

• "Badli Si Hawa Hai" - sung by Arijit Singh and Amira Gill
• "Tenu Ki Pata" - featuring Diljit Dosanjh's magnetic vocals

The music rights are held by T-Series.

Behind-the-Scenes and Production

Creative Team

• Director/Writer/Creator: Aryan Khan
• Co-creators: Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan
• Producer: Gauri Khan (Red Chillies Entertainment)
• Platform: Netflix India

Production Insights

This marks several firsts:

• Aryan Khan's directorial debut
• First collaboration between the music composers and Aryan
• Netflix's most anticipated Indian series of 2025

Cultural Impact and Industry Significance

The Bads of Bollywood represents more than just another web series - it's a cultural moment that signals:

1. New Generation Leadership: Aryan Khan choosing direction over acting shows the evolving preferences of star kids
2. Industry Critique: The series provides an insider's satirical take on Bollywood's issues
3. Platform Prestige: Netflix's investment in high-profile Indian content
4. Family Legacy: Continuing the Khan family's entertainment industry dominance

Controversies and Discussions

The Jail Scene Debate

One particular scene showing the protagonist in jail has sparked discussions about whether it references Aryan Khan's real-life 22-day imprisonment in 2021 during the NCB drug case controversy. However, cast members have clarified that it's purely fictional and showcases Aryan's humorous side.

Marketing Controversies

Some viewers have criticized the promotional strategy, particularly regarding:

• A promoted song featuring Tamannah that wasn't included in the final series
• Misleading expectations about certain content

What Makes It Special

Fresh Perspective

The series offers a satirical, self-aware look at Bollywood that feels both insider and outsider simultaneously.

Star Power

The combination of established stars and fresh faces, along with high-profile cameos, creates unprecedented star power for a streaming series.

Production Values

With Red Chillies Entertainment's backing and Netflix's resources, the series boasts high production values and cinematic quality.

Looking Forward

While it's unclear if The Bads of Bollywood will get a second season, Aryan Khan's directorial debut has certainly established him as a creative force to watch in the Indian entertainment industry. The series sets a precedent for how the next generation of Bollywood royalty might choose to make their mark - through storytelling rather than stardom.

Final Verdict

The Bads of Bollywood is a bold, ambitious debut that offers entertainment value while providing commentary on the industry it depicts. Whether you love it or find it over-the-top, it's undeniably a significant moment in Indian entertainment - marking the arrival of Aryan Khan as a filmmaker and offering a fresh, irreverent take on the world of Bollywood.

For fans of satirical comedy, industry insiders, and those curious about the next generation of Khan family talent, this series is definitely worth watching. Stream all seven episodes now on Netflix and witness Aryan Khan's take on the glitzy, chaotic world of Hindi cinema.