The Bastards of Bollywood: Aryan Khan's Directorial Debut Reveals the Intrigue of the Hindi Film Industry

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Netflix is ​​back with another compelling show with the satirical action-comedy series "The Bastards of Bollywood." This series, the directorial debut of Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was released on September 18, 2025.

The series offers an in-depth and critical look at the glamorous yet intriguing Hindi film industry.

With seven episodes of approximately 40-50 minutes, viewers are invited to delve into the world of nepotism, the struggles of outsiders, and various behind-the-scenes dramas.

Produced by Gauri Khan under her Red Chillies Entertainment banner, "The Bastards of Bollywood" has made widespread attention.

The series is not only entertaining but also sparks discussion about the rarely revealed realities of the film industry.

"The Bastards of Bollywood" follows the journey of Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya Lalwani), an up-and-coming actor from Delhi with ambitious ambitions in Bollywood. After the huge success of his debut film, "Revolver," Aasmaan is faced with numerous lucrative offers from renowned production houses.

However, his decision to sign a three-film contract with his debut producer, Freddy Sodawallah (Manish Chaudhari), leads him into unexpected turmoil. Aasmaan's journey becomes even more complex when he stars opposite Karishma Talvar (Sahher Bambba), the daughter of veteran superstar Ajay Talvar (Bobby Deol).

Initially, Ajay tries hard to sabotage Aasmaan's career, but in the final episode, a shocking plot twist is revealed.

It is revealed that Ajay is Aasmaan's biological father, born to Aasmaan's mother, Neeta (Mona Singh), 26 years ago.

This fact creates a big dilemma, considering that Aasmaan and Karishma have been in love and planning to elope, but it turns out they are half-siblings.

Aryan Khan's directorial debut, "The Bastards of Bollywood," received widespread critical acclaim.

Many praised his "bold" and "entertaining" vision, demonstrating solid storytelling and a willingness to expose, mock, and celebrate the excesses of Bollywood.

The series was praised for its sharp satire, meta-humor, and clever pop culture references, effectively satirizing the politics of fame, nepotism, and PR games in the industry.

The dialogue was described as witty, witty, and often hilarious, keeping viewers engaged despite the sometimes implausible plot.

However, the series was not without its critics. The plot twist at the end of the first season regarding Aasmaan and Karishma's relationship was considered controversial and may not appeal to all viewers.

Furthermore, the use of strong language and adult content made the series less suitable for family audiences, with some critics even feeling that the use of profanity was sometimes forced.

"The Bastards of Bollywood" boasts a strong cast of both main and supporting actors.

Lakshya Lalwani was praised for his portrayal of Aasmaan Singh, while Bobby Deol also received praise for his "fierce" and "riveting" performance as Ajay Talvar. Raghav Juyal was called "delightful" and "scene-stealing" as Aasmaan's best friend, Parvaiz.

One of the series' biggest draws is the cameo appearances by prominent Bollywood stars, including Shah Rukh Khan (also the narrator), Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Ranveer Singh, and Karan Johar.

With a generally positive critical reception and a cliffhanger ending, "The Bastards of Bollywood" has great potential for a second season.