Aryan Khan was honoured with the Best Debutant Director of the Year award for his Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood* at the NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 ceremony held in New Delhi on Friday.
“This award is for my mother,” says Aryan
Accepting his first-ever award, Aryan Khan thanked the cast, crew and Netflix for backing a first-time director.
“First, I would like to thank the cast, crew, and Netflix for believing in a first-time director. Congratulations to all the winners tonight — this is my first award. I hope to win more,” he said.
Drawing warm applause, Aryan added with humour, “Like my father, I also love awards, but this one is not for him — this award is for my mother.”
A sharp satire on Bollywood’s inner circle
Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, The Ba***ds of Bollywood, is a satirical take on nepotism, scandals and guarded family secrets within the Hindi film industry. The series follows the journey of aspiring actor Aasmaan Singh, played by Lakshya, whose sudden rise to fame uncovers unsettling links to superstar Ajay Talwar, portrayed by Bobby Deol, and his daughter Karishma, played by Sahher Bambba.
The show’s irreverent tone and bold storytelling have sparked wide discussion, particularly for its willingness to critique the power structures of Bollywood while blending drama with dark humour.
Series tops IMDb popularity charts
Since its release, The Ba**ds of Bollywood* has generated strong buzz and critical attention. It has topped IMDb’s list of the most popular Indian shows of 2025, outperforming major titles such as Paatal Lok Season 2, Panchayat Season 4, Special Ops Season 2 and The Family Man Season 3.
Industry observers see the recognition as a significant milestone for Aryan Khan, marking a confident entry into filmmaking with a project that balances commercial appeal and sharp commentary.
NDTV honours excellence across sectors
The NDTV Indian of the Year awards recognise outstanding individuals across 14 categories, spanning business, innovation, philanthropy, governance, sport, entertainment, culture and science. Winners are selected through an extensive evaluation process, reflecting NDTV’s long-standing commitment to celebrating excellence across India.