Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor has become the talk of social media after his glowing praise for Aryan Khan’s directorial debut The Ba***ds of Bollywood. His positive review of the Netflix series quickly went viral, and many users accused the politician of posting a “paid review.”
Shashi Tharoor Denies Claims Of ‘Paid Preview’
Tharoor responded sharply to the accusation. On Monday, he wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “I’m not for sale, my friend. No opinion I express has ever been paid for by anybody, in cash or in kind.”
He made it clear that his admiration for Aryan’s work came from genuine appreciation and not any kind of promotion. Earlier, Tharoor had shared a detailed post praising Aryan’s direction and storytelling style.
In his review, Tharoor wrote, “Just finished watching Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, ‘The Ba***ds 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. A genius, often hilarious, sometimes moving, and always unflinching look beyond the glamour, sending up every cinematic cliche with razor-like wit — and a series of insider jokes that let the audience into the act & behind the scenes.”
He ended his post with a warm message for Shah Rukh Khan and added, “The seven compelling episodes mark the arrival of a true storytelling powerhouse. Take a bow, Aryan Khan – you’ve delivered a masterpiece. The Ba***ds Of Bollywood is brilliant! @iamsrk from one father to another, let me say, you must be so proud.”
About The Ba***ds Of Bollywood
The Ba***ds of Bollywood (released on Netflix in September 2025) marks Aryan Khan’s first outing as a director. The series attempts to satirise the glitzy yet flawed world of Hindi cinema through sharp humour and insider commentary.
While Tharoor and many fans have praised its bold approach, others have called the show uneven and confusing. Some viewers said the tone shifts too often (swinging between parody, emotional drama and dark comedy), making it difficult to connect with the story. Critics also noted that key emotional moments (like a major character’s death) felt rushed and lacked depth.
Beyond tonal issues, the show has faced backlash for what many consider misplaced vulgarity and weak writing. Some viewers felt the frequent use of profanity and explicit scenes added little value to the story. One Quora reviewer even described the show’s “bluntness bordering to vulgarity” as off-putting.
Others criticised the plot for leaving several storylines unresolved. Many found the ending and some characters’ actions unconvincing and felt that they lacked emotional logic. The show seems to rely heavily on celebrity cameos and the influence of its producer (Shah Rukh Khan) rather than strong storytelling. These factors have led some to call the show “mediocre despite its hype.”
