🎬 The Last Of Us
Release Year: 2023 –
Streaming Platform: MAX
⭐ IMDb: 7.6/10 | 🍅 Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
Bollywood has always been a world of extremes—glittering dance numbers, larger-than-life heroes, and melodramatic love stories. But what happens when you strip away the glamour and dive into the raw, unfiltered underbelly of India’s film industry? The Badlands of Bollywood (2025) does exactly that.
This new TV series, streaming on Netflix, is a darkly comedic, adrenaline-fueled adventure that peels back the curtain on the chaos behind the camera. With a 7.6/10 IMDb rating, it’s already generating buzz for its sharp writing, standout performances, and unflinching look at the industry’s cutthroat nature.
But is it worth your time? Let’s break it down.
The Badlands of Bollywood follows Rohan Mehta, a struggling filmmaker who gets entangled in a high-stakes conspiracy after stumbling upon a lost film that could change Bollywood forever. The series blends adventure, comedy, and drama, with a healthy dose of satire about the film industry’s obsession with fame, money, and power.
Think Ocean’s Eleven meets The Social Network, but with Bollywood’s signature flair—over-the-top emotions, dramatic confrontations, and a few song-and-dance sequences thrown in for good measure.
- Adventure – A treasure hunt for a legendary lost film.
- Comedy – Sharp, witty dialogue and absurd industry antics.
- Drama – Personal struggles, betrayals, and moral dilemmas.
The tone is fast-paced, irreverent, and self-aware, making it a refreshing change from Bollywood’s usual formulaic dramas.
The story kicks off when Rohan, a failed director, discovers an old reel of a never-released film rumored to be the greatest Bollywood movie ever made. But here’s the catch—the film was buried for a reason, and powerful people will do anything to keep it hidden.
The first few episodes set up the mystery well, with twists that keep you guessing. The pacing is tight, with no unnecessary filler—something rare in Indian TV shows. Each episode ends on a cliffhanger, making it hard to stop watching.
Not really. The show balances action, humor, and drama effectively. However, some subplots—like Rohan’s romantic entanglements—feel underdeveloped and could have been trimmed.
The series mockingly highlights Bollywood’s flaws—nepotism, fake PR stunts, and the desperation for fame. Some jokes land perfectly, while others feel too on-the-nose, especially in later episodes.
Verdict: A gripping, well-structured story with a few pacing hiccups.
Performances
Karan Singh (playing Rohan) delivers a standout performance. He makes the character sympathetic yet flawed, balancing humour and desperation well. His chemistry with the supporting cast is electric, especially in comedic scenes.
The antagonists—a corrupt producer and a ruthless film critic—are deliciously evil, though their motives sometimes feel too exaggerated. Still, their performances add to the show’s campy charm.
- Priya Kapoor (Rohan’s love interest) has great comedic timing.
- Vikram Rathod (the cynical journalist) steals scenes with his dry wit.
- Mona Desai (the washed-up actress) delivers the show’s most emotional moments.
Verdict: Strong performances across the board, with a few standout stars.
Direction & Visuals
Director Rajesh Kumar (known for Sacred Games) brings a gritty, documentary-like realism to the series, contrasting with Bollywood’s usual glossy visuals. The cinematography is dynamic, with handheld shots in chaotic scenes and sweeping wide angles in emotional moments.
The background score is pulsing and intense, heightening the tension. The song sequences (yes, there are a few) are well-integrated, though they feel out of place in a few scenes.
The fast cuts in action scenes keep the energy high, but some transitions feel too abrupt. The color grading shifts between warm tones (for Bollywood glamour) and cool blues (for darker moments), reinforcing the show’s duality.
Verdict: Visually striking, though not perfect.
Pros and cons
✔ Sharp, witty writing – The dialogue is funny and smart.
✔ Strong performances – Especially Karan Singh and Vikram Rathod.
✔ Fast-paced storytelling – No boring filler episodes.
✔ Great satire – Exposes Bollywood’s flaws without being preachy.
✔ High production value – Looks and feels like a big-budget show.
✖ Some over-the-top villains – Feels like a Bollywood cliché at times.
✖ Underdeveloped side characters – A few arcs could have been deeper.
✖ Inconsistent tone – Shifts between dark drama and slapstick comedy can be jarring.
✖ Predictable twists – A few plot turns are easy to guess.
Final Take: The pros far outweigh the cons, making it a must-watch for fans of satirical, fast-paced dramas.
Cast & Crew
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Karan Singh | Rohan Mehta | Protagonist, struggling filmmaker |
| Priya Kapoor | Ananya Sharma | Love interest, aspiring actress |
| Vikram Rathod | Arjun Malhotra | Cynical journalist |
| Mona Desai | Rekha Sinha | Washed-up Bollywood star |
| Rajiv Mehta | Vikas Khanna | Corrupt film producer (main antagonist) |
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Director | Rajesh Kumar |
| Writers | Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane |
| Cinematographer | Pankaj Kumar |
| Music Director | Amit Trivedi |
| Producers | Netflix, Phantom Films |
Who should watch? & Verdict
- Satirical comedies (The Office, Fleabag)
- Bollywood behind-the-scenes dramas (Luck by Chance, Kaala)
- Fast-paced thrillers (Money Heist, Sacred Games)
- Dark humor (Fargo, Barry)
- Hate Bollywood tropes – The show mocks them but also relies on them.
- Prefer slow-burn dramas – The pacing is too fast for some.
- Don’t like satire – The humor is sharp and sometimes mean-spirited.
Best for: Fans of smart, self-aware storytelling with a Bollywood twist.
Rating: 8/10 – A refreshing, entertaining, and well-made series that balances humor, drama, and adventure effectively.
- Great performances (especially Karan Singh).
- Sharp writing with genuine laughs.
- High production value (looks expensive).
- Addictive pacing (binge-worthy).
- More depth in side characters.
- A few too many Bollywood clichés.
- Some tonal inconsistencies.
Final Thought: If you enjoy satirical comedies with a dash of thriller, this is one of the best Indian shows of 2025. It’s not perfect, but it’s damn entertaining.
REVIEWS & RANKINGS
| Source | Rating | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| IMDb | 7.6/10 | “A fun, fast-paced satire with heart.” |
| The Hindu | 4/5 | “A scathing yet hilarious take on Bollywood.” |
| India Today | 3.5/5 | “Great performances, but loses steam in later episodes.” |
| Firstpost | 4/5 | “Karan Singh carries the show brilliantly.” |
- 82% of viewers rated it 4+ stars on Netflix.
- Most praised: Writing, performances, and humor.
- Most criticized: Predictable twists, underdeveloped side plots.
| Rank | Show | Genre | IMDb Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The Badlands of Bollywood | Adventure/Comedy/Drama | 7.6 |
| 2 | Sacred Games S3 | Crime/Thriller | 7.8 |
| 3 | Delhi Crime S2 | Crime/Drama | 8.1 |
| 4 | Made in Heaven S2 | Drama/Romance | 8.3 |
Where It Stands: Top 5 Indian shows of 2025, but not the best in its genre.
No, but it draws inspiration from real Bollywood scandals (lost films, industry nepotism, etc.).
Netflix has renewed it for Season 2, but no release date yet.
Yes, it’s in Hindi with English subtitles (and other languages on Netflix).
No. It has strong language, violence, and adult themes.
Exclusively on Netflix (available in all regions).
45-50 minutes per episode (8 episodes in Season 1).
Mostly yes, but it sets up Season 2 with a major cliffhanger.
—
Since The Badlands of Bollywood is a Netflix Original, you get:
✅ No ads (unlike some other platforms).
✅ High-quality streaming (4K available).
✅ Download option (for offline viewing).
✅ Multiple language subtitles.
Best way to watch? Binge it over a weekend—it’s that addictive.
—
The Badlands of Bollywood is not just another Bollywood drama—it’s a sharp, funny, and thrilling ride through the industry’s darkest corners. While it isn’t flawless, it’s one of the most entertaining Indian shows in years.
If you love:
✔ Satire with bite
✔ Fast-paced storytelling
✔ Great performances
Then this is a must-watch.
Rating: 8/10 – Highly Recommended! 🎬🔥