The first look of Aryan Khan's directorial debut, Ba*ds of Bollywood, has been revealed, showcasing a satirical and action-packed take on the Hindi film industry. The series, set to stream on Netflix, is written and directed by Aryan Khan and produced by Gauri Khan. The first look was released on August 17, generating excitement among fans.
The teaser opens with a familiar tune – the iconic violin theme from Shah Rukh Khan's Mohabbatein. As a silhouetted figure steps into the spotlight, delivering a tragic love story, it's revealed to be Aryan Khan, not his father. Dressed in black, Aryan mirrors his father's style as he introduces the show's anticlimactic tone. He promises a blend of "bahut saara pyaar (lots of love)" and "thoda sa vaar (a little bit of a roast)," a play on Shah Rukh Khan's famous dialogues about love. The teaser includes glimpses of the show, interspersed with Aryan's voiceover, creating a familiar yet contrasting narrative. While SRK often spoke of pyaar (love), Aryan focuses on vaar (attack), showcasing action-oriented scenes.
Ba*ds of Bollywood is described as a sharp-edged comedy-drama that delves into the behind-the-scenes chaos of Bollywood. The series blends satire with high-stakes storytelling, promising an unfiltered look at the realities of the film industry. The show follows an ambitious outsider and his friends as they navigate the glamorous yet uncertain world of Bollywood.
The series features rising talents Lakshya and Sahher Bamba in key roles. The ensemble cast includes Bobby Deol, Manoj Pahwa, Mona Singh, Manish Chaudhari, Raghav Juyal, Anya Singh, Vijayant Kohli, and Gautami Kapoor. There are also rumors of cameo appearances by several big Bollywood names, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Karan Johar.
Shah Rukh Khan has expressed his support and excitement for his son's directorial debut. During an #AskSRK session on X (formerly Twitter), he shared a humorous exchange with Netflix India about the show's release. When a fan inquired about the release date, SRK playfully urged Netflix to reveal details, as Aryan hadn't shared any information with him. Netflix responded with a witty reference to SRK's film Jawan, confirming the first look would be out on August 17. SRK also gave his review of the series, calling it "very good... very entertaining, wacky, and emotional". He also mentioned that Gauri Khan is the "proudest" member of the family.
Aryan Khan has been hands-on in the making of Ba*ds of Bollywood. Casting director Karan Mally mentioned Aryan's meticulous approach to casting, emphasizing that he had a clear vision for every character. In addition to directing, Aryan co-wrote the series with Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan.
Netflix's co-CEO, Ted Sarandos, has also praised Ba*ds of Bollywood, expressing his excitement for the series. Karan Johar has also lauded Aryan's directorial talent, noting his unique voice and work ethic. The preview of the show will be released on August 20.