Review: Bastards of Bollywood

Aryan Khan could have played it safe. With a last name that carries both legacy and burden, his debut could easily have been a glossy romance, a sleek thriller, or a star-studded spectacle. Instead, he chose the opposite. Bastards of Bollywood is messy, satirical, cameo-heavy — and unapologetically pointed at the very industry that made him.

A Roast Disguised as Fiction

The series takes the shape of fiction but pulses with reality. Rather than following a single story, it stitches together some of Bollywood’s most infamous controversies — nepotism wars, mafia whispers, PR scandals — into one sprawling satire. It is self-aware, sometimes indulgent, but rarely boring. The twists are unsettling, the humor cutting, and the overall mood one of cynicism toward an industry forever caught between glamour and rot.

Cameos and Counterpoints

Yes, the cameos are plentiful, and yes, they will make you grin. Aryan uses his access unapologetically, dropping big names into scenes like unexpected party guests. It’s indulgence, but indulgence used as spectacle.

What’s more interesting, though, is who carries the actual narrative weight: not star kids, but fresh faces. Lakshya anchors the lead role well enough, but Raghav Juyal emerges as the true highlight, delivering razor-sharp comedic timing that keeps the satire afloat. This contrast feels intentional. Aryan cashes in his privilege for cameo sparkle but hands the heavy lifting to outsiders. In its own way, the series becomes a satire on nepotism itself — a star kid showing you that it doesn’t always have to be about them.

Slips in the Middle

Where the show falters is in pacing. The middle episodes sag under the weight of too many scandals crammed together, like a buffet where every dish fights for attention. The writing occasionally feels like a checklist of controversies rather than a narrative. Still, the finale regains enough grip to leave you wondering the one question that matters: whose story is this really about?

Aryan’s Own Story, Hidden in Plain Sight

Perhaps the sharpest move is Aryan’s ability to channel his own past. His infamous case — the scandal that dominated headlines and nearly defined him — isn’t spelled out, but its shadow lingers over the entire series. In refracting his own controversy through satire, Aryan does something clever: he cashes it out. This is not just catharsis, it’s strategy. It’s the instinct of someone who knows how to turn perception into narrative — and perhaps the privilege of being the son of one of the world’s richest actors.

Verdict

Bastards of Bollywood is not flawless. It is indulgent, uneven, and occasionally cliché. But it is also entertaining, provocative, and, most importantly, bold. Aryan Khan could have coasted on legacy. Instead, he delivered a messy roast of an industry that rarely dares to laugh at itself.

⭐️ Rating: 3.5/5
A flawed but fascinating debut — worth a weekend binge if you enjoy satire, Bollywood’s self-parody, and the thrill of spotting who’s who behind the fiction.