Highlights:
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Aryan Khan debuts as director with Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*.
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The opening drug raid parody sets the satirical tone.
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Aasmaan and Karishma’s clash reimagines the nepotism debate.
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Karan Johar’s “movie mafia” line turns past controversy into humor.
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Emraan Hashmi cameo as intimacy coach references his screen persona.
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The show includes a spoof of Bollywood award ceremonies.
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A subplot reflects on the #MeToo movement in the industry.
Aryan Khan’s directorial debut The Bads of Bollywood* premiered on Netflix and has quickly become a talking point across audiences and critics. Rather than focusing on the series’ central plot, viewers are engaged by the numerous satirical references, parodies, and inside jokes that directly point at Bollywood scandals, controversies, and cultural debates. The Ba*ds of Bollywood positions itself as a commentary on the industry, mixing humor with reflection, and offering audiences a look at how Bollywood can turn its own image into entertainment.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the top moments in The Ba**ds of Bollywood* that fans have highlighted, shared, and discussed.
A Drug Raid Parody That Opens the Series
The Ba***ds of Bollywood begins with a direct parody of the widely discussed Bollywood drug raids. An officer resembling former Narcotics Control Bureau officer Sameer Wankhede storms into a party. He sees a DJ openly smoking weed but lets him go, remarking, “Not from the industry.” Instead, he arrests a young actor who is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. The sequence closes with a producer announcing, “Say no to drugs,” before the screen flashes, “Directed by Aryan Khan.” This opening sets the tone for the rest of the series, signaling that satire and self-awareness will dominate the narrative.
Nepotism Debate Reimagined
One of the most striking scenes in The Ba***ds of Bollywood is a fictionalized confrontation between outsider character Aasmaan and star kid Karishma. The outsider directly calls out Karishma’s privilege and her limited understanding of “struggle.” This exchange echoes the viral real-life conversation between Ananya Panday and Siddhant Chaturvedi, which became symbolic of the Bollywood insider-outsider debate. By recreating and exaggerating the moment, the show draws attention to nepotism as a persistent theme in industry discussions.
Karan Johar’s “Movie Mafia” Line
Karan Johar plays himself in a cameo where he warns a character, “Do not mess with the movie mafia.” The line is significant because it directly references Kangana Ranaut’s accusations against him years ago. The Ba***ds of Bollywood turns the label into a self-aware joke, allowing Johar to own the phrase rather than deny it. This moment underlines the show’s approach—taking controversies and transforming them into humor that the industry itself delivers.
#Aryan just exposed the actual combo between #RanveerSingh & Karan Johar 😭❤️🔥
Aryan doing a lot of self deprecating humor that was really funny 😅🔥#TheBadsOfBollywood pic.twitter.com/aUmWKkigRP
— ❤️🔥 (@ramu4866) September 18, 2025
Emraan Hashmi as an Intimacy Coach
Another memorable cameo in The Ba***ds of Bollywood features Emraan Hashmi in the unusual role of an intimacy coach. The comedy comes from a character named Parvaiz who reacts by fanboying uncontrollably over Hashmi. This plays on Hashmi’s well-known reputation as Bollywood’s “serial kisser.” The scene works as both a tribute and a parody, reinforcing the show’s tendency to highlight industry reputations while also poking fun at them.
Hidden References Through Text Messages
The Ba***ds of Bollywood is filled with small but clever details. For instance, Bobby Deol’s character receives text messages from “Sunny,” which is a direct nod to his real-life brother Sunny Deol. While these hidden Easter eggs do not change the storyline, they provide additional entertainment for observant viewers who enjoy catching industry-specific references.
Spoof of Bollywood Award Shows
The series includes a parody of Bollywood’s award ceremonies through the fictional “FilmFirst Awards.” This segment exaggerates the glamour, rehearsed speeches, and staged interactions often criticized in real ceremonies. By satirizing the environment of such events, The Ba***ds of Bollywood reflects widespread skepticism about the authenticity of awards in the industry.
Bollywood’s Underworld Links
Arshad Warsi appears as Don Gafoor Ismail, a gangster character that is exaggerated for comedic effect but still reminds viewers of Bollywood’s historical connections to the underworld. By including this element, The Ba***ds of Bollywood acknowledges an uncomfortable but well-documented chapter in the industry’s past.
Addressing Scandals and the #MeToo Movement
The Ba***ds of Bollywood also tackles serious controversies. One storyline features a producer who is unaware of why his conduct is inappropriate, directly pointing at the #MeToo movement in Bollywood. By blending satire with real issues, the series pushes viewers to consider how the industry has dealt with accountability, while still packaging the commentary in a comedic format.
Why The Ba***ds of Bollywood Resonates
Ultimately, The Ba***ds of Bollywood is less about telling a traditional story and more about providing a reflection of Bollywood’s contradictions, scandals, and culture. It functions as a satirical mirror, turning public debates about nepotism, scandals, and gossip into entertainment.
Fans have been actively pausing episodes, sharing screenshots, and discussing the Easter eggs across social media. The show is designed for this type of interaction, where each joke, cameo, or reference can be dissected and debated.
By using satire to highlight Bollywood’s controversies, The Ba***ds of Bollywood creates a space where the industry can laugh at itself while viewers engage with familiar stories told in a new format. Aryan Khan’s debut demonstrates how the next generation of filmmakers may approach storytelling—not by avoiding difficult topics but by reshaping them into accessible and self-aware content.
