Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, The Bastards of Bollywood, dropped on Netflix this week and has already sparked debate for both its bold title and shocking finale. Produced under Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, the series mixes satire of the Hindi film industry with a dramatic family saga that sets up even bigger twists for a possible second season.
At first, Aryan and Shah Rukh had teased that the title was pronounced The Bads of Bollywood, softening its impact. But the final episode reveals the true name—The Bastards of Bollywood—tying directly into the storyline. The show follows rising actor Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya), who falls in love with Karishma Talwar (Sahher Bamba), daughter of superstar Ajay Talwar (Bobby Deol). What begins as a glamorous tale of stardom soon takes a darker turn.
The season’s climax unveils a devastating secret: Aasmaan and Karishma share the same father. In a tense confrontation, Aasmaan’s mother Neeta (Mona Singh) reveals that Ajay is his biological father, making Karishma his half-sister. The revelation shatters their romance, forcing the couple to abandon marriage plans and remain friends. The shocking family link redefines the meaning behind the series title.
The final moments introduce another twist that sets up the next chapter. Producers Freddi Sodahwallah (Manish Chaudhari) and Jaraj Saxena (Rajat Bedi) blackmail Ajay using this secret, coercing him into starring in their ambitious film alongside Karishma and Aasmaan. “We will make India’s biggest family drama,” Freddie declares, as the camera cuts to the series title card—this time fully spelling out The Bastards of Bollywood.
The layered ending not only closes the initial arc but hints at the explosive direction a second season could take. With betrayal, blackmail, and family secrets now at the heart of the story, Aryan Khan has set the stage for a darker and more dramatic continuation. Netflix has not yet confirmed season two, but the finale makes it clear the saga of Bollywood’s most complicated family has only just begun.
