When Aryan Khan, the debutant writer-director of Netflix’s upcoming The Ba***ds of Bollywood, following the introduction of the show’s ensemble cast, he admitted to being “nervous”. This was his first such public appearance and despite rehearsing his speech for days, Aryan found himself relying on the teleprompter. He also fished out from his pockets the speech, written on a piece of paper, and a torch that he was carrying to help him read. It turned out, however, that his ultimate back-up was “Papa”. His superstar father, Shah Rukh Khan, who stood next to him, had a sheet of paper, with Aryan’s lines written on it, pasted on his back.
When the son of one of India’s biggest stars makes his much-awaited entry into the world of showbiz, the smartest way of subverting the nepo-narrative is by owning it — acknowledging both the privilege he is born into and the fact that his superstar father quite literally has his back. Even though Shah Rukh’s right hand rested in a sling bag — he is recovering from a recent surgery for an injured shoulder — he took up the task of introducing the cast, the characters they play on the show, and, finally, ushering Aryan Khan onto the stage.
If Shah Rukh is the “Badshah of Bollywood” or “King Khan”, then Aryan is the unofficial crown prince of this world of glitz and glamour. It was a foregone conclusion that Aryan Khan, the first-born of Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan, would eventually step into the industry. Aryan, of course, threw a curveball when it was announced that he would make his debut without facing the arc lights himself.
The 27-year-old, who studied filmmaking and television production at the University of Southern California (USC), has obviously taken a well-considered decision to position himself behind the camera, unlike other star kids, including his sister, Suhana Khan, who debuted as an actor with the Netflix film, Zoya Akhtar-directed The Archies in 2023. Positioning himself as a new-age storyteller, Aryan seems eager to establish his voice and craft as a filmmaker first.
Going by the preview of the seven-episode show held at Yash Raj Films’ studio, The Ba***ds of Bollywood comes across as an ambitious spectacle with the vibes of a mainstream movie and hints of an incisive narrative. The visuals are slick and edgy while the humour is tongue-in-cheek. With striking self-awareness, it makes references to the oddities of Bollywood, nepotism and the trappings of stardom. “Some people are born to a star and some are born stars,” says the narrator. There is a lock-up jibe too. As the protagonist, essayed by Lakshya, is put behind bars, a cop tells him, “People become more famous after being locked up” — a reference, most likely, to the 26 days that Aryan Khan spent in custody in connection with an alleged drugs case, since dismissed.
Aryan, who bears a striking resemblance to his father, also seems to have inherited Shah Rukh’s cheeky sense of humour. As he spoke about the show’s concept, his understanding of the chaotic world of entertainment — warts and all — was evident. The Ba***ds of Bollywood sets out to explore the “insider–outsider” debate, following the journey of an ambitious “outsider” and his friends as they navigate the dazzling yet cutthroat world of cinema. Shah Rukh himself took on a similar theme in Farah Khan’s mass entertainer Om Shanti Om (2007), while Zoya Akhtar offered a more nuanced take in her debut Luck By Chance (2009). Aryan’s series, however, offers a different take as a “starkid” turns the lens on the world he was born into.
What’s interesting is that The Ba***ds of Bollywood, produced by Aryan’s mother Gauri Khan and family-owned Red Chillies Entertainments Pvt. Ltd, features mostly outsiders in the cast. Bobby Deol, a star son who has gone through a roller-coaster professional ride is an exception, adding a layer of meta-commentary. By featuring “outsiders” Lakshya, Raghav Juyal, and Sahher Bambba in the pivotal roles, the focus has now shifted from Aryan Khan’s lineage to his craft as a creator.
Obviously, Aryan is aware that he can’t escape the comparisons with his father and his staggering stardom. Nor can he evade the scrutiny on his privilege and capabilities. The smartest thing for Aryan Khan to do, perhaps, is to turn the conversation on its head with a touch of irreverence. The first-time director seems to be doing just that, saying, “Bollywood — jisse aapne saalon se pyaar bhi kiya aur vaar bhi kiya. Main bhi wohi karunga, bohot saara pyaar — aur thoda sa vaar (For years, you have both loved and criticised Bollywood. I will do the same, lots of love — and a little bit of roasting).”
alaka.sahani@expressindia.com
