Aryan Khan’s Netflix debut Ba**ds of Bollywood* is one of the most talked-about projects in recent times. As the son of superstar Shah Rukh Khan, expectations were always going to be sky-high. But what surprised everyone the most wasn’t just the grandeur of the launch or the presence of SRK on stage despite a fractured hand—it was Aryan’s decision to cast relatively smaller actors in lead roles, rather than Bollywood’s biggest names.
With cameos from stars like Ranveer Singh, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, and Ibrahim Ali Khan already confirmed, the obvious question arose: Why didn’t Aryan give the lead roles to big actors?
The Nepotism Backlash Concern
Over the last few years, Bollywood has been under intense scrutiny for nepotism. Every time a star kid debuts in a film alongside a major production house or big-name actors, the audience reaction has often been negative. Trolls and critics accuse them of getting an unfair advantage.
Shah Rukh Khan, having seen the industry inside out, clearly understood this danger. If Aryan’s debut show featured top actors, the conversation would have immediately shifted from Aryan’s talent as a director to “another star kid using big stars to succeed.”
By casting lesser-known faces, Aryan cleverly avoided this narrative and shifted the spotlight back to his storytelling, vision, and direction.
Lakshya Lalwani as the Lead
One of Aryan’s boldest choices was casting Lakshya Lalwani as the lead. Lakshya, mostly known for his TV work and smaller film roles, is far from an A-lister.
But this move served two purposes:
- It distanced Aryan’s debut from nepotism debates.
- It allowed Aryan full creative control, since Lakshya doesn’t carry the baggage of a larger-than-life star image.
This way, audiences will judge the show based on the story and direction rather than comparing it to the filmography of a big actor.
Bobby Deol’s Strong Role
Another interesting casting was Bobby Deol. In the last few years, Bobby has enjoyed a massive career revival through Aashram and Animal. While his career graph is on the rise, he is still not considered a “lead hero” in today’s big-budget films.
This made him an ideal choice for Aryan—he brings credibility and recognition, but not so much star power that it overshadows Aryan’s debut.
Why Not Big Stars in the Lead?
Apart from nepotism concerns, there are several strong reasons Aryan avoided top actors:
- Negative PR Risk: With big names, the nepotism debate would dominate headlines.
- Budget Factor: Big stars mean massive paychecks and inflated production costs.
- Creative Control: Big actors often come with their own brand image and influence over scripts. Aryan, being a first-time director, wanted freedom.
- Spotlight Issue: If stars like Ranbir Kapoor or Ranveer Singh were in lead roles, the attention would go to them—not Aryan. This debut needed to highlight Aryan’s vision, not just the actors.
Cameos for Star Value
That said, Aryan did not completely ignore big stars. Instead, he smartly used them for cameo appearances.
With Salman Khan, Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan, and Ibrahim Ali Khan making brief appearances, the series still carries the glamour and buzz of Bollywood, but without overshadowing the fresh faces leading the story.
It’s the perfect balance between star attraction and creative independence.
Shah Rukh Khan’s Guidance
Behind Aryan’s choices, Shah Rukh Khan’s wisdom is evident. Having navigated decades of stardom, SRK knows that the audience today is far more critical and vocal.
By encouraging Aryan to focus on lesser-known actors, SRK ensured that the project highlights Aryan’s directorial skills rather than being dismissed as another nepotistic venture.
SRK’s presence at the launch event—despite his fractured right hand—symbolized full support while letting Aryan shine independently.
The Bigger Strategy
There’s also another smart angle: if Ba**ds of Bollywood* works with relatively smaller actors, Aryan’s success will look even bigger.
Audiences will say he created magic without relying on star power. That kind of credibility could establish Aryan as a serious director early in his career, rather than just “SRK’s son trying to direct.”
Aryan Khan’s decision to avoid big stars in his Netflix debut wasn’t random—it was strategic. By choosing actors like Lakshya Lalwani and Bobby Deol, and reserving Bollywood giants only for cameos, Aryan protected his debut from nepotism backlash, controlled his creative vision, kept the budget realistic, and ensured that the spotlight remains on him as a director.
If the show becomes a hit, Aryan won’t just be known as Shah Rukh Khan’s son—he’ll be recognized as a director who built his success thoughtfully, on his own terms.
