Netflix’s The Ba**ds of Bollywood has bombed us with its much-anticipated trailer, and if Aryan Khan’s directorial debut is anything to go by, we’re in for a boisterous, razor-sharp lift through the gaudy underbelly of the Hindi film industry. The trailer doesn’t just tease—it grasps you by the collar and drags you into the chaos, drama, and dark humour that seemingly define the world behind the velvet curtain.
From the very first frame, the trailer crackles with attitude. All we see is satire and looks like it is all set to showcase a fiery cocktail of ambition, ego, and theatricality assessed against the setting of India’s most beloved and baffling industry. The narrative leads with Aasmaan Singh, played by Lakshya, a wide-eyed outsider with aims to make it big. He’s charming, hungry, and a little too naive for the beast he’s about to face.
Upon Aasmaan’s ascent, we are introduced to a myriad of colourful personalities that comprise the Bollywood circus. Raghav Juyal portrays the ever-faithful best friend and Anya Singh’s Sanya brings the sting with her dry humour, and relentless reality-check. The show, however, is stolen by Bobby Deol, even in trailer-length hits. He shines as the superstar Ajay Talvar; with menace and charm, he demonstrates everything that is terrifying, and also appealing, about established celebrity.
Sahher Bambba, playing Talvar’s daughter and an industry debutante, adds emotional nuance to the otherwise bombastic landscape. Manish Chaudhari as the cunning producer and Rajat Bedi as the has-been actor inject a deliciously cynical energy, hinting at the sharp social commentary that underpins the show’s glossy veneer.
The trailer is a visual and sonic feast. The writing sparkles with irreverent one-liners and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it jabs at Bollywood archetypes. The production design walks a fine line between opulent and over-the-top, in perfect sync with the show’s tone. The soundtrack, featuring tracks by Shashwat Sachdev and Anirudh Ravichander, pulses with youth and rebellion, amplifying the trailer’s high-octane energy.
Perhaps the most buzz-worthy moment? The much-rumoured cameo of the three Khans—Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir—briefly hinted at in the final seconds, confirming a cinematic moment fan have waited decades for.
The trailer is anything but subtle. It’s bold, biting, and brimming with style—a promising preview of a series that isn’t afraid to expose the highs, lows, and absolute absurdities of chasing fame in Bollywood. September 18 couldn’t come soon enough.
