Aryan Khan’s debut series The Bads of Bollywood, now streaming on Netflix, is rich with clever nods to his father, Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic films. Episode 6, in particular, is packed with SRK tributes, while the homage begins subtly in Episode 5. Aasman Singh (Lakshay) reenacts the famous “Palat, Palat, Palat” scene from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge at a bar, and after his third “palat,” the scene cuts to Karishma turning towards the camera—mirroring Kajol’s moment in the original film, which turns 30 this year.
Music plays a big role too. The series opens with Chaiyya Chaiyya from Dil Se, accompanying Manoj Pahwa’s wedding performance, and Koi Mil Gaya from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai plays during a celebration for Aasman’s film debut.
Shah Rukh Khan himself makes a surprise cameo in Episode 6, walking in with his manager Pooja Dadlani to the beat of Badshah O Badshah, adding to the nostalgia. The show also recreates the iconic award show sequence from Om Shanti Om, updated for the Gen Z era. Celebs like Sara Ali Khan, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and Rajkummar Rao appear on the red carpet, pretending humility, while Maheep Kapoor steals the scene with her sassy remark: “I have to clap for everyone at award shows. I just got my nails done.”
Aasman wins an award and receives it from SRK, quoting the classic Om Shanti Om line about the universe conspiring to fulfill desires. Aryan also pokes fun at himself—during the red carpet, Maheep tells her daughter, “Shanaya, please smile. Don’t act like Aryan.”
The series is part satire, part homage—and entirely a Khan family affair.
