Debapriya Bhattacharya
Created by Aryan Khan and marking his directorial debut, the Netflix series ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ tells the story of Aasmaan Singh (Lakshya Lalwani), a newcomer to Bollywood, the Indian Hindi film industry. His meteoric rise gains him stardom at a young age but also exposes him to the cutthroat underbelly of the entertainment industry. While he works through it all with relative ease, being supported by loving parents at home, it is falling in love with Karishma Talwar (Sahher Bambba), daughter of superstar Ajay Talwar (Bobby Deol), that brings the world crashing down around him. The satirical action drama is meant to hold a mirror to the grandiose industry itself. In the bustling city, Aasmaan’s shifting scenery from a humble home to luxury villas, and from the crowded, unpredictable streets to the well-curated filming sets, highlights the journey that he embarks upon along the way.
The Ba***ds of Bollywood Filming Locations
‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ was filmed in the Mumbai, situated in western India. It is the hub of Hindi-filmmaking, with the industry being dubbed as Bollywood, taking after Hollywood in Los Angeles, California. The series was reportedly announced in November 2024, and principal photography seemingly took place in the following months. With the story being firmly set in Bollywood, the sequences were captured on location, and even the film studios added to the narrative.
Mumbai, India
With the narrative of ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’ following the rise of Aasmaan Singh in Bollywood, the series was lensed on location in the city of Mumbai, the film capital of India. Shooting took place in multiple locations across the city, representing its diverse landscape. As such, the indoor scenes were seemingly captured in the in-house studios of Red Chillies Entertainment, located at Backstage, Plot no. 612, Junction of Rama Krishna Mission Road & 15th Road in Santacruz (West), Mumbai. The studio has been associated with films such as ‘Dunki,’ ‘Darlings,’ ‘Love Hostel,’ and ‘Zero.’
The architecture of Mumbai outdoors found its representation in the series, with Victorian Gothic, Art Deco, Indo-Saracenic, and contemporary styles forming an amalgamated backdrop for the action. The exterior of the Grand Hotel, Mumbai, situated at 17, Shri S.R. Marg in Mumbai’s Ballard Estate, features prominently in the background of a thrilling car chase sequence. Apart from ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood,’ the well-recognized hotel has been featured in films such as ‘Saiyaara’ and ‘Jawan.’
Since the financial capital of India is a coastal city located next to the Arabian Sea, glimpses of the beach are also seen in the series. The Bandra-Worli Sea Link, officially known as the Rajiv Gandhi Sea Link, is prominently present in establishing shots. The first cable-stayed bridge built in the open sea in the country connects the western suburbs to South Mumbai. However, some prominent backdrops were created for the show itself, such as the headquarters of Dharma Productions, owned by filmmaker Karan Johar.
As a result of its association with the Hindi film industry and the location of multiple studios in the region, Mumbai has been the chosen filming destination for numerous films and television shows. Projects for the big screen that were shot in the city include ‘Om Shanti Om,’ ‘The Villain,’ ‘Fan,’ ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai,’ ‘Black Friday,’ and many more. The city has also formed the setting of television shows such as ‘Rana Naidu,’ ‘The Family Man,’ ‘Bollywood Junction,’ ‘Call My Agent Bollywood,’ and ‘Inside Edge.’
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