Category: Exclusive

Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, is making his much-anticipated debut in the entertainment industry—not in front of the camera, but behind it. His first project, a Netflix original series titled The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, has already begun generating buzz after receiving early praise from Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. Speaking on Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath’s WTF podcast, Sarandos revealed that he has watched the first two episodes of the series and found them “very funny.” He applauded Aryan’s directorial skills and described the show as a fresh and entertaining take on the lesser-known inner workings of the Hindi film industry. “People in India and outside know nothing about the inner workings of Bollywood. It’s a really fun world. He’s a very good director,” Sarandos said. The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is described as a high-stakes, humorous, and immersive drama that follows an ambitious outsider and his group of friends as they navigate the chaotic, glamorous, and often absurd world of Bollywood. The series promises to offer a peek into the industry’s drama, ambition, and behind-the-scenes intensity—elements often hidden behind the glitz of showbiz. Earlier this year, Shah Rukh Khan introduced his son’s directorial debut with a witty and stylish video teaser shared on social media, captioned:“Picture toh saalon se baaki hai, par show toh ab shuru hoga. Witness Aryan Khan’s take on Bollywood… The BA**DS OF BOLLYWOOD, coming soon.”* The series is being produced under the Red Chillies Entertainment banner, with Gauri Khan as producer. Aryan Khan serves as creator and director, collaborating with co-creators and writers Bilal Siddiqi and Manav Chauhan. Bonnie Jain and Akshat Verma are on board as executive producers. According to the creators, the show aims to explore “the intense drama that lies beneath the surface of glamour.” They added, “Through Aryan Khan’s distinct lens, this show dives into the glitz, the chaos, the comedy, and the high stakes of an industry built on dreams.” The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is slated for a 2025 release on Netflix, and with early praise already rolling in, Aryan Khan’s bold foray into storytelling looks poised to make an impact.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has chosen to release his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par exclusively in theatres, rejecting lucrative offers from digital platforms for an early OTT release. Citing his deep-rooted belief in the magic of cinema and audience experiences, Aamir described the decision as risky but necessary to preserve the sanctity of theatrical storytelling. In a recent interview, Aamir revealed that his conviction was strengthened by none other than Amitabh Bachchan. According to Khan, the veteran actor encouraged him to trust his instincts and take the bold step, reminding him of his legacy as a risk-taker. The conversation between the two took place during a dinner at Bachchan’s residence, which Aamir and his son Junaid had won while participating on Kaun Banega Crorepati. The actor shared that while several industry friends urged him to follow the conventional route and opt for a digital release within eight weeks of the theatrical premiere, he was uncomfortable with the growing pressure from OTT platforms to shorten the window between cinema and streaming. Aamir stated that although he respects all platforms, he believes a gap of at least six months would be more reasonable. “I am a loyalist of cinema, and I believe in it,” Aamir said. “Yes, it’s a big risk, and if the film doesn’t work, it could mean a major loss. But I want the audience to watch my film in theatres first.” Aamir credited Bachchan’s words as the final push he needed. “When I told him about my fears and doubts, he simply asked me why I wasn’t doing it—reminding me that I’ve always taken risks. That validation meant a lot,” he said. Directed by RS Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par features Aamir Khan alongside Genelia D’Souza and tells a heartfelt story involving neurodivergent children. While this theatre-first strategy applies only to this film for now, Aamir’s production house plans to evaluate future distribution models based on the film’s performance and audience response. Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan has chosen to release his upcoming film Sitaare Zameen Par exclusively in theatres, rejecting lucrative offers from digital platforms for an early OTT release. Citing his deep-rooted belief in the magic of cinema and audience experiences, Aamir described the decision as risky but necessary to preserve the sanctity of theatrical storytelling. In a recent interview, Aamir revealed that his conviction was strengthened by none other than Amitabh Bachchan. According to Khan, the veteran actor encouraged him to trust his instincts and take the bold step, reminding him of his legacy as a risk-taker. The conversation between the two took place during a dinner at Bachchan’s residence, which Aamir and his son Junaid had won while participating on Kaun Banega Crorepati. The actor shared that while several industry friends urged him to follow the conventional route and opt for a digital release within eight weeks of the theatrical premiere, he was uncomfortable with the growing pressure from OTT platforms to shorten the window between cinema and streaming. Aamir stated that although he respects all platforms, he believes a gap of at least six months would be more reasonable. “I am a loyalist of cinema, and I believe in it,” Aamir said. “Yes, it’s a big risk, and if the film doesn’t work, it could mean a major loss. But I want the audience to watch my film in theatres first.” Aamir credited Bachchan’s words as the final push he needed. “When I told him about my fears and doubts, he simply asked me why I wasn’t doing it—reminding me that I’ve always taken risks. That validation meant a lot,” he said. Directed by RS Prasanna, Sitaare Zameen Par features Aamir Khan alongside Genelia D’Souza and tells a heartfelt story involving neurodivergent children. While this theatre-first strategy applies only to this film for now, Aamir’s production house plans to evaluate future distribution models based on the film’s performance and audience response.