A Senior Leader’s Surprising Weekend Binge
Shashi Tharoor, while recovering from his cold, went to social media and revealed that he eventually decided to see Aryan Khan’s The Bad of Bollywood after his sister’s and staff’s persistent calls. Tharoor then commented that what happened next was “one of the best viewing experiences I’ve had in recent years.”
Calling the show “absolute #OTTGOLD,” he wrote:
“It may take a couple of episodes to grow on you, but once it does, you’re hooked. The writing is sharp, the satire unflinching, and the self-awareness absolutely refreshing.”
Shashi Tharoor’s review has become a sensation on social media, gaining recognition and accolades from internet users as well as from the filmmakers and artists for making the connection between politics and pop culture so much easier.
A Sharp Satire on Bollywood’s Glamour and Grit
The Bads of Bollywood, Aryan Khan’s debut as creator and director, is a seven-episode series that reveals the hidden side of the layers of the Hindi film industry and celeb life glamour. The show goes deep into the topics of fame, failure, and the culture of image-building-themes that Bollywood has always shied away from exploring.
Tharoor praised Aryan’s ability to balance humor with depth and wrote:
“It’s a razor-edged satire-a genius, often hilarious, sometimes moving look beyond the glamour, sending up every cinematic cliché with refreshing honesty.”
The politician and writer went on to say that Aryan’s work reveals a writer with a high degree of maturity, unafraid of its purpose and daring in its manner of expression.
A Heartfelt Message from One Father to Another
In his post, Shashi Tharoor directly addressed Shah Rukh Khan, expressing admiration for Aryan’s new venture:
“From one father to another, let me say-you must be so proud!”
As most celeb kids end up just as actors like their parents, Shashi Tharoor referred to Aryan as “a true storytelling powerhouse,” and he also congratulated Shah Rukh Khan for nurturing a filmmaker who could produce something unique that the new generation will like and admire. His statement was quickly accepted among the fans of the Khan family and the followers of Tharoor; in fact, the mixing of different age groups’ admiration was shown to be the reason for uniting the cultural icons of India.
I’ve been battling a cold & cough and cancelled engagements for two days. My staff and my sister, @smitatharoor, persuaded me to turn my eyes away from the computer part of the time towards a @NetflixIndia series, and it’s one of the best things I have ever treated myself to:… pic.twitter.com/xRUHv8ERTB
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) October 26, 2025
A New Voice in Bollywood Storytelling
Aryan Khan’s directed The Bads of Bollywood, a venture of Red Chillies Entertainment, is being hailed as a meta-satire for bringing a unique genre to Indian entertainment after a long time. The series employs humor in a smart way to depict the different aspects like nepotism, PR gimmicks, and the obsession with stardom and also opens up the vulnerability of the people behind the fame, bringing a raw and different perspective of celeb gossip.
Tharoor’s endorsement solidifies Aryan’s entry as one of the most talented and cutting-edge young directors in India. The critics have also applauded the show for the smart writing and for the elements such as cinematic vision and its awareness and also the essence of audience favorites, Western satires such as Succession and The Boys, but with a Bollywood twist that is very different from the former ones.
Social Media Reacts
The review tweet by Tharoor has caused quite a buzz on social media. The fans have gone so far as to describe his compliment as “the most eloquent review that Aryan could have wished for,” and at the same time, many others have observed the symbolic transfer of the torch between an intellectual icon and a new cinema star.
Netflix India even playfully answered Tharoor’s tweet with a GIF from the series.
