Netflix released The Bads of Bollywood on September 18, 2025. The satirical seven-episode series is Aryan Khan’s directorial debut and stars Lakshya Lalwani & Raghav Juyal alongside a large ensemble and high-profile cameos. Critics and fans have praised the performances and worldbuilding even as some reviewers call the humor uneven.
Introduction – The Bads of Bollywood
The Bads of Bollywood arrives as a glossy, satirical take on fame, nepotism and power in modern Hindi cinema. Conceived and directed by aryan khan, the seven-episode Netflix series blends comedy, drama and industry inside baseball to tell the story of an ambitious outsider trying to break into a system stacked against him. The show immediately sparked conversation for its cameos, production values and the fact that it marks a high-profile streaming debut from a star kid turned creator.
Performances & Direction
Aryan khan direction frames the series as an insider story delivered with both affection and barbed humor. Lead performances — especially from Lakshya Lalwani and Sahher Bambba — balance charisma with vulnerability, while veteran actors add the heft of lived industry presence.
Cameos from major stars and producers (including Shah Rukh Khan in a cameo role) increase the show’s spectacle, but reviewers note that star turns shine brightest when they serve the story rather than existing for shock value. Shah Rukh Khan publicly thanked fans for supporting his son’s debut, demonstrating the show cultural ripple effect.
What the show is About
The series centers on Aasmaan Singh, an actor navigating deals, manipulative producers and a poisonous mix of privilege and gatekeeping. Each episode mixes satirical beats with genuine emotional stakes, using industry archetypes to both amuse and critique.
Production-wise the show is a Red Chillies Entertainment project released on Netflix, running seven episodes between roughly 39 and 56 minutes each. Expect slick production design, a contemporary soundtrack and an episodic arc that builds to a sharp finale.
Story Overview
Here is the complete story overview of each episode of The Bads of Bollywood, giving you a quick look at the twists and turns across all seven episodes.
Episode 1 – “Meet The Bads“
Aasmaan Singh’s debut film becomes a hit, raising his profile.
At an actor’s roundtable, he clashes with Karishma Talvar, a nepo insider, drawing attention and friction from established industry players.
Episode 2 – “Movie Mafia”
Aasmaan meets producer Freddy and signs a commercial project, partly motivated by his father’s medical emergency.
Ajay Talvar disapproves of Aasmaan being cast with his daughter Karishma, and power dynamics start shifting.
Episode 3 – “Barbaad Mohabbat”
Karishma and Aasmaan begin working with an intimacy coach; Parvaiz (Aasmaan’s friend) is a fan. Viral moments threaten Karishma’s reputation.
Freddy seeks help from Ajay Talvar to manage fallout. Conflict begins to deepen.
Episode 4 – “Bullshit Party”
A birthday celebration for Karishma turns contentious when Ajay objects to Aasmaan’s involvement in intimate scenes and industry scrutiny intensifies.
Avtaar’s song gets noticed by big names like Karan Johar, putting additional pressure on those trying to control Karishma’s path.
Episode 5 – “My Hero”
Jaraj brings Freddy a compromising video of Aasmaan, using it as leverage. This strains Aasmaan’s relationships, especially with Parvaiz.
Aasmaan receives unsettling news that further complicates his ambitions and moral dilemmas.
Episode 6 – “The Filmfirst Awards”
A glamorous awards night becomes the setting for showmanship, confrontation, and reveal of character motives.
Aasmaan faces trouble during the event — not just in terms of public image but legal/contractual friction with Freddy.
Episode 7 – “Picture Ka Title Hoga…”
The finale delivers a plot twist: Aasmaan and Karishma plan to elope, but Ajay Talvar disrupts everything. Aasmaan’s mother Neeta reveals that Ajay is Aasmaan’s biological father, making Karishma his half-sister. This revelation changes the nature of their relationship.
Freddy and Jaraj exploit this secret for their own gain. The full title “The Bastards of Bollywood” is revealed, teasing potential continuation.
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Cast and Cameos
Main Cast
Here is the main cast of The Bads of Bollywood, featuring the lead actors and performances.
Lakshya Lalwani as Aasmaan Singh, an ambitious actor trying to break into the Bollywood elite.
Sahher Bambba as Karishma Talwar, a privileged actress and daughter of superstar Ajay Talwar.
Bobby Deol as Ajay Talwar, a top Bollywood star and Karishma’s father.
Raghav Juyal as Parvaiz, Aasmaan’s loyal best friend.
Anya Singh as Sanya, Aasmaan’s manager.
Mona Singh as Neeta Singh, Aasmaan’s mother.
Manoj Pahwa as Avtaar Singh, Aasmaan’s uncle.
Gautami Kapoor as Anu Talwar, wife of Ajay Talwar and mother to Karishma.
Rajat Bedi as Jaraj Saxena.
Manish Chaudhari as Freddy Sodawallah, the monopolistic producer in the story.
Cameos & Special Appearances
Here are the cameos and special performances that add star power to The Bads of Bollywood:
Shah Rukh Khan appears as himself and provides voiceover narration.
Other major Bollywood figures making cameo appearances include Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, Karan Johar, Emraan Hashmi, Badshah, and Rajkummar Rao.
There are also cameo appearances by Disha Patani, SS Rajamouli, Sara Ali Khan, Ibrahim Ali Khan, Pooja Dadlani, and others.
Also Read: Aryan Khan Shocking Netflix Debut: The Ba**ds of Bollywood
Themes and tone
At its best The Bads of Bollywood uses satire to explore meritocracy, exclusivity and how stories are shaped by those who control the cameras. The tone oscillates between sharp comedy and conventional drama, which is deliberate but occasionally results in uneven pacing.
The series also examines the human cost of ambition. Characters who initially seem archetypal acquire depth when the narrative reveals their compromises, making the satire feel less like a takedown and more like a conversation about the industry’s moral economy.
Fan & critics Reaction
Audience response has been broadly positive on social platforms, with viewers praising the performances, cameos and production scale. Critics have been mixed; some critics celebrate the show’s worldbuilding and humor while others argue it struggles to be consistently self-aware.
This split has only amplified discussion, which boosts discoverability on streaming platforms.
