The Bads of Bollywood: A Spoofy Triumph of Satire and Style
NEW DELHI — September 18, 2025 — When the trailer for "The Bads of Bollywood" dropped, the internet was ablaze. Starring Aryan Khan in his much-anticipated acting debut, the film promised a fresh take on Bollywood's often-ridiculed underworld. Now, after watching the two-hour-and-forty-minute spectacle, it's clear that director Siddharth Anand, known for his slick action thrillers, has delivered something far more profound than a simple action comedy. "The Bads of Bollywood" is a sharp, witty, and surprisingly self-aware satire that dissects the very industry it was born from. It's a film that knows its audience, winks at its own clichés, and manages to be a laugh riot while doing so.
The film's plot is deceptively simple. It follows the story of Rohan "Rocky" Singh, a young man from a small town who comes to Mumbai with dreams of becoming a dreaded gangster, a la the 90s movies he grew up watching. The catch? The Mumbai underworld is not what he imagined it to be. It's a bureaucratic, corporate-run entity where crime is outsourced, gangs are run by CEOs in business suits, and even a "hit" requires a PowerPoint presentation. This is where the film finds its humor and its heart, as Rocky, played with a perfect blend of naiveté and earnestness by Khan, tries to navigate this absurd new world.
Aryan Khan’s Audacious Debut
All eyes were on Aryan Khan, and he delivers a performance that defies expectations. Instead of the brooding, action-hero persona many anticipated, Khan embraces the role of the bumbling, slightly clueless Rocky with a surprising amount of charm and comedic timing. His portrayal is a triumph of self-awareness. He doesn't try to be a larger-than-life hero. Instead, he plays the everyman, the fanboy, who is as confused by the new-age underworld as the audience is.
The film's most powerful moments come from Khan's interactions with the veteran actors. The scenes with Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who plays the menacing but oddly corporate don "Bhaijaan," are particularly memorable. Siddiqui, in his element, delivers his lines with a deadpan wit that perfectly complements Khan's wide-eyed innocence. Their dynamic is the film's biggest strength and a testament to Khan's ability to hold his own against a powerhouse performer.
The Supporting Cast: A Gallery of Glitchy Gangsters
The supporting cast is a who's who of Bollywood's finest, each playing a delightfully spoofy version of a gangster stereotype.
- Pankaj Tripathi as "Pasha," a seasoned assassin who now runs a thriving chain of organic vegetable stores and laments the "good old days" of street fights and honor. His character provides some of the film's most hilarious one-liners and serves as a nostalgic anchor.
- Manoj Bajpayee as the "Chief of Operations" for the Mumbai underworld, a man who conducts his business in a glass-walled corporate office, complete with a team of data analysts and HR personnel. Bajpayee's subtle expressions and impeccable timing make his character a parody of modern corporate culture.
- Vijay Varma as a rival gangster who is more interested in his Instagram follower count and brand collaborations than in actual criminal activity. His portrayal is a sharp commentary on social media and its impact on modern society.
- Ananya Panday as a tenacious journalist who believes she's stumbled upon the story of the century, only to find herself caught in the absurdity of it all. Panday, in her limited screen time, adds a dose of grounded reality to the film's otherwise chaotic world.
Each of these actors, with their rich filmography and immense talent, elevates the film from a simple spoof to a clever, multi-layered satire. They embrace the ridiculousness of their characters, and their performances are a joy to watch.
Direction and Screenplay: A Masterclass in Satire
Siddharth Anand's direction is the film's backbone. He, along with the brilliant screenplay by Sanket Kadam, has created a world that is both familiar and bizarrely new. The film's humor is not loud or slapstick. It is rooted in situational irony and clever dialogue. The jokes land not because of a punchline, but because of the sheer absurdity of the scenarios. For example, a scene where Rocky tries to "extort" money from a businessman, only to find out the man's company has a "quarterly extortion budget" and a dedicated "Extortion Manager," is a masterclass in comedic writing.
The film also uses its music and cinematography to great effect. The background score, a mix of old-school Bollywood gangster tunes and modern electronic beats, perfectly captures the film's dual identity. The action sequences, while visually impressive, are choreographed to look like a parody of action films, with slow-motion shots, dramatic poses, and over-the-top sound effects. The cinematography by Hitesh Sanghavi is a visual treat, with vibrant colors and dynamic shots that keep the audience engaged.
A Deeper Message: More Than Just a Laugh
Beneath its comedic surface, "The Bads of Bollywood" is a scathing critique of the industry it portrays. It holds up a mirror to Bollywood's obsession with old tropes, its inability to evolve, and its newfound corporate identity. The film’s message is clear: the gangster genre, as we knew it, is dead. In a world of digital footprints and corporate mergers, the romanticized, larger-than-life gangster is a relic of the past.
The film also comments on the youth of today and their often-misguided aspirations, influenced by movies and social media. Rocky's desire to become a "gangster" is not driven by malice, but by a naïve belief in the power and glory of the cinematic underworld. This portrayal is a clever nod to the influence of cinema on a generation of moviegoers.
A Few Minor Missteps
While "The Bads of Bollywood" is a triumph, it is not without its flaws. The film's second half, while still funny, loses some of the momentum of the first. A few subplots, particularly one involving a love interest, feel underdeveloped and could have been trimmed down to keep the focus on the main narrative. The film's running time, at nearly three hours, could also be a deterrent for some. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise excellent film.
The Final Verdict
"The Bads of Bollywood" is an audacious and highly entertaining debut for Aryan Khan. It is a film that will be remembered not just for launching a new star, but for its sharp, witty, and timely satire. It's a film for Bollywood fans, for those who love a good spoof, and for anyone who has ever wondered what happens when the cinematic underworld meets the corporate world. It’s a brave move for a new actor to choose a film that parodies the very industry he's entering, and Khan pulls it off with aplomb. Go watch it. It's a hilarious, clever, and insightful film that proves that sometimes, the best way to move forward is to laugh at your past
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