Aryan Khan’s directorial debut The Ba***ds of Bollywood, produced by Gauri Khan under Red Chillies Entertainment, is set to release on September 18. The trailer has already created a stir, not just for its glossy production and star power, but for its willingness to poke at the hypocrisies of the industry from the objectification of female artists to filmmakers who coast on past glory.
But Bollywood has never been shy about putting a mirror to itself. Over the years, both feature films and non-feature content have explored the chaos, glamour, insecurities, and contradictions that define the Hindi film industry. Here’s a look back at those attempts divided between feature films that fictionalized the world of cinema, and non-feature content that leaned on realism, satire, or behind-the-scenes drama.
Feature Films: Fiction as Reflection
Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959)
Guru Dutt’s semi-autobiographical classic was one of the earliest insider stories. Beneath its tragic romance, it was a commentary on how public scrutiny and studio politics consume a filmmaker’s spirit and legacy.
Om Shanti Om (2007)
Shah Rukh Khan’s reincarnation saga doubled as a playful parody of Bollywood clichés — from dramatic sets to ego-driven stars — highlighting the industry’s larger-than-life culture even as it celebrated it.
Luck By Chance (2009)
Zoya Akhtar’s directorial debut remains one of the most authentic industry portraits. It examined the struggles of outsiders, the opportunism of producers, and the transactional nature of relationships in an unforgiving ecosystem.
Heroine (2012)
Madhur Bhandarkar’s film zoomed in on the insecurities of a superstar actress, diving into objectification, the ruthless press, and the fleeting nature of fame. Though melodramatic at times, it was an ambitious attempt to capture stardom’s darker side.
Fan (2016)
In this thriller, Shah Rukh Khan played both the superstar and his obsessive fan, blurring the line between admiration and danger. It showcased how stardom can be both a gift and a prison.
Non-Feature Content: OTT, Reality & Experiments
The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives (2020)
Karan Johar’s Netflix reality show offered voyeuristic access to the glamorous personal lives of industry families. While entertaining, it leaned heavily into indulgence rather than critique.
Call My Agent: Bollywood (2021)
This Indian adaptation of the French hit provided a satirical glimpse into celebrity management, lampooning PR gimmicks, temperamental stars, and the fragile egos that keep the machine running.
Showtime (2024)
Led by Emraan Hashmi on Disney+ Hotstar, this series was one of the most direct dramatizations of Bollywood’s inner workings. It tackled nepotism, legacy clashes, producer rivalries, and the cut-throat politics of an industry forever torn between tradition and reinvention.
Why The Ba***ds of Bollywood Stands Out
What separates Aryan Khan’s debut is its positioning. Unlike earlier works that softened the blows with melodrama, satire, or voyeurism, the trailer hints at direct confrontation — unapologetically calling out industry flaws. And the irony is inescapable: the critique comes not from an outsider, but from the family most deeply woven into Bollywood’s fabric.
As September 18 approaches, expectations are sky high. If the series sustains its sharpness, it could mark a bold generational statement. If it falters, it risks becoming another example of how Bollywood sometimes struggles to critique itself honestly. Either way, The Ba***ds of Bollywood joins a long but fascinating list of films and shows where the industry dared to turn the camera inward.
