With the release of The Bads of Bollywood on Netflix, Aryan Khan has entered the public conversation not just as a director, but as someone making art that touches on industry power dynamics. Among the many themes the show raises — insider vs outsider, privilege vs merit — the nepotism debate has again taken centre stage. Here’s what this series tells us (so far) about how nepotism continues to feature in Bollywood, and why it matters.
What The Bads of Bollywood is, and what it shows
- The Bads of Bollywood is Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, premiered on Netflix India on 18 September 2025. The show features a cast of newcomers in lead roles, supported by cameos from established stars like Karan Johar, Shah Rukh Khan, and others.
- The series is widely described as a satirical take on Bollywood culture: not just the glitz and glamour, but also the inner politics, rumours, power structures. One key element is how it offers critique of how star kids or insiders get entry and sometimes advantages.
- Public reactions suggest this theme is being noticed: viewers on social media have pointed out scenes that appear to critique nepotism directly, and talk about how outsider figures are portrayed relative to insider ones.
Why nepotism remains a contentious issue in Bollywood
To understand the significance of the show’s engagement with nepotism, it’s helpful to review the broader context:
- Bollywood has long been criticised for favouring star-kids and people with industry connections over outsiders. Casting, opportunity, visibility are often believed to flow more easily to insiders.
- Public debates intensified after several controversies (for instance, the Sushant Singh Rajput case) where fans and media raised questions about fairness in access and opportunity. These debates have not died down; rather, they have become part of the discourse whenever new films or OTT shows launch, especially ones involving star-children.
- Some public figures from the industry have acknowledged both sides: that insiders have advantages, but also that sustaining an acting or filmmaking career often requires consistent performance, skill, hard work. Filmmaker Karan Johar, for example, recently commented that star kids get opportunities by virtue of family connections, but talent and consistency matter in the long run.
How The Bads of Bollywood adds to the conversation
This show brings fresh angles and renewed visibility to the debate by:
- Making the insider-outsider tension part of the plot
The narrative places characters with no film background next to characters who are connected, showing both the overt and subtle differences in how their experiences unfold. Such storytelling allows audiences to see, not just hear, what insider advantage can look like in casting calls, media exposure, or social capital. - Using self-referential humour and cameos
The series includes cameos by major Bollywood figures, sometimes appearing to play themselves, and moments that seem to allude to real-life controversies (for example, a scene that many believe references the NCB case involving Aryan Khan). These metafictional elements bring the debate from abstract discussion into something more immediate and visible. - Not relying solely on star power
The leads are mostly newcomers. This makes the contrast sharper and gives outsider characters real screen time, rather than being secondary. It also shows that big projects can place faith in talent outside star dynasties, even in production, casting, or promoting work. - Generating discussion beyond the show itself
Media commentaries, interviews, social media responses show that people are talking — about fairness, about visibility, about what entry into Bollywood really means for someone without lineage. That conversation keeps the nepotism debate alive.
Significance: What this means for Bollywood, creators & audiences
- For outsiders trying to break in: shows like The Bads of Bollywood can be validating. They bring visibility to the experience of being outside the “inner circle.” This may translate into more audience sympathy, more interest from producers to explore new talents, and potentially more projects that tell outsider stories.
- For star-kids and insiders: the show signals that being connected is no longer beyond critique. It raises the bar for transparency and accountability, and pressures insiders to acknowledge these dynamics in their public posture or creative choices.
- For the industry and storytellers: engaging with nepotism in this way sets a precedent. It suggests big films / big OTT projects can include meta critique: telling stories that question their own industry’s structure, which can lead to new genres, new writing styles, and possibly changes in how casting or promotions are handled.
- For audiences: this kind of content can shift expectations. As viewers become more aware of how talent and opportunity intersect with privilege, they may demand greater meritocracy, more diversity, more honest storytelling. Shows referencing real controversy tend to stir debate, which itself can influence the wider culture.
What to watch going forward
- How critics and the box-office/audience metrics respond to The Bads of Bollywood, especially for its handling of nepotism: whether it’s praised, criticised, or becomes a talking point in awards, reviews, or social discourse.
- Whether more OTT shows or films follow suit: including insider-outsider themes, meta references, or self-critique of Bollywood systems.
- Interviews from the cast and crew that may reveal how much was inspired by real experiences versus fictionalised impulses; how much the show aims to push for change vs entertain.
- Any industry responses: from casting directors, producers or trade bodies — will the show lead to concrete changes in casting, promotions, or opportunity creation (for example, more auditions, more openness to newcomers, more weighting toward perceived talent rather than connections).
Bottom line
Nepotism in Bollywood is not new, but The Bads of Bollywood offers a fresh lens: one where the insider-outsider debate is not just backdrop but plot. By using new faces, cameos, humour, and subtle references to real events, Aryan Khan’s show doesn’t just depict nepotism; it invites viewers to see how privilege shapes who gets seen, who gets heard, and who gets given chances.
For an industry constantly balancing fame, finance, family and form, this kind of storytelling is significant. It may not immediately change structures, but it expands the conversation — and that, for many, is the first step toward change.
Also read:Why DreamFolks Exiting Domestic Lounges Signals a Big Shift for Airport Hospitality in India
Last Updated on: Thursday, September 18, 2025 7:03 pm by The Weekly News Team | Published by: The Weekly News Team on Thursday, September 18, 2025 7:03 pm | News Categories: Entertainment
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