When Shashi Tharoor trends online, it’s usually for his eloquent vocabulary or witty remarks — but this time, the politician is making headlines for a very different reason. The Congress MP turned into a Netflix critic over the weekend, showering praise on Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, The Bads of Bollywood, and even sending a heartfelt note to Shah Rukh Khan.
“Absolute OTT Gold,” Says Tharoor
Battling a cold and cough, Tharoor revealed that he took a break from work and decided to unwind with a Netflix binge. Persuaded by his sister Smita Tharoor and his staff, he gave Aryan’s new series a try — and was instantly impressed.
“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 — absolute #OTT GOLD!” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“A Genius, Fearless Satire”
After finishing the show, Tharoor shared his admiration for Aryan’s craft and the series’ bold tone.
“Just finished watching Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, The Bads of Bollywood, and I’m left grasping for words of praise. It takes time to grow on you, but then you’re irresistibly hooked! The writing is sharp, the direction is fearless, and the sheer audacity of this satire is just what Bollywood needed,” he wrote.
He went on to describe the Netflix show as “genius, often hilarious, sometimes moving, and always unflinching”, adding that it delivers “a razor-sharp look beyond the glamour, packed with insider jokes and cinematic clichés turned on their head.”
Tharoor concluded his review with high praise for the young filmmaker:
“Take a bow, Aryan Khan — you’ve delivered a masterpiece. The Bads of Bollywood is brilliant! @iamsrk, from one father to another, let me say: you must be so proud!!”
Sidharth Basu Echoes Tharoor’s Praise
Television producer and quiz show pioneer Sidharth Basu also agreed with Tharoor’s assessment. Sharing his own thoughts on X, Basu wrote:
“The Bads of Bollywood is a smart, satirical, full-throttle work that’s both meta and masala. A superbly crafted, world-class debut, streets ahead of anything in its league. Aryan has arrived with swag and style.”
About The Bads of Bollywood
The Bads of Bollywood marks Aryan Khan’s directorial debut and is backed by Red Chillies Entertainment, the production house owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan. The satirical comedy features Bobby Deol, Lakshya Lalwani, Raghav Juyal, Sahher Bambba, Mona Singh, Anya Singh, Manoj Pahwa, and Gautami Kapoor, among others.
The show has also drawn attention for its cameos from major Bollywood names, including Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Karan Johar, Ranveer Singh, Sara Ali Khan, and SS Rajamouli.
