New Delhi, India — In a glowing social-media post, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor offered high praise for Aryan Khan’s directorial debut series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, while also addressing Shah Rukh Khan with an emotionally-charged message as one parent to another.
What Tharoor said
Tharoor revealed he had been unwell—“battling a cold & cough and cancelled engagements for two days” – and during this break he gave the Netflix show a chance, describing it as “one of the best things I have ever treated myself to: absolute #OTT GOLD!”
He continued:
“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.”
Concluding his appraisal, Tharoor addressed Aryan Khan:
“Take a bow, Aryan Khan — you’ve delivered a masterpiece: ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ is brilliant!”
And then he switched gears to Shah Rukh Khan:
“@iamsrk: from one father to another, let me say: you must be so proud!!”
Why the message to SRK matters
By framing his closing line as “from one father to another”, Tharoor highlighted not just the success of Aryan’s show, but the paternal pride behind it. It places the achievement within a familial context, acknowledging Shah Rukh not just as a superstar producer or actor, but as a parent whose child’s creative work has come of age.
The phrase “you must be so proud” underscores the rarefied combination of legacy, expectation and achievement that the Khan family now embodies — Aryan stepping into a directorial role, produced by the Khan family’s own banner, adds layers to the sentiment.
Series in context: what is The Ba**ds of Bollywood*?
The show marks Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, backed by his father’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment.
Tharoor refers to it as a satire of the film industry — “a genius, often hilarious, sometimes moving, and always unflinching look beyond the glamour, sending up every cinematic cliché with razor-like wit”.
Implication for Bollywood landscape
- Legacy & fresh voice: The Khan name has dominated Bollywood; Aryan’s move behind the camera signals both continuation and reinvention. Tharoor’s endorsement lends added legitimacy to the shift.
- Critical & public momentum: High-profile praise can accelerate traction — especially in the OTT space where word-of-mouth is crucial.
- Parent-child narrative: In an industry where “star kids” are often scrutinised, the father-to-father commendation flips the script: it’s not just about nepotism, but mentorship, pride, creative risk.
What to watch for
- Will The Ba**ds of Bollywood* sustain momentum for a second season?
- How will audiences and critics dissect the “insider satire” — will its references resonate beyond film-buff corners?
- Will Aryan Khan continue in the director’s chair, and will Shah Rukh Khan publicly respond to how his son’s debut is being received?
