In an unprecedented development, MP Shashi Tharoor recently joined the Aryan Khan fan club. However, the eloquent speaker-writer, who has earned a name for his articulate expression, came under fire for penning an exceedingly positive review of the 27-year-old creative’s directorial debut, The Ba***ds of Bollywood. With the 7-episode action dramedy series premiering on Netflix on September 18, the Indian National Congress politician caught on to the buzzworthy craze induced by the star-studded show a bit late than the rest.
Over a month after its release, Tharoor took to his official X page, which often becomes a medium for his critical commentary, and hailed Aryan’s directorial an “OTT gold” and “masterpiece.” Shortly after his wordy review, he, in turn, became the subject of ramped-up critique online. Many social media users accused him of jumping on the “paid review” bandwagon. A comment, which read “Shashi Tharoor new side business _Paid reviews!!,” particularly caught his eye, prompting him to silence trolls.
Shashi Tharoor denied The Bads of Bollywood ‘paid review’ allegations
Taking matter into his hands, Tharoor replied to the rising accusations shortly after his original post mounted praises for the Netflix series, Aryan, and his superstar dad, Shah Rukh Khan.
“I’m not for sale, my friend,” he responded to the comment. “No opinion I express has ever been paid for by anybody, in cash or in kind.”
The person who dragged him continued the dialogue, saying, “Sorry to say it Sir, but this coming from a Malayali (Mollywood makes great content) make it look like one (paid). You are entitled to have different view though… P.s. I greatly admire you for your Patriotism work.”
Many countered the user’s claims, noting that haters like him first always first in line to “boycott” movies and other Bollywood-associated content, some others couldn’t help but side with the allegations. Some even suggested that he Tharoor had relied on ChatGPT for his Bads of Bollywood review. What especially intensified these claims was Tharoor’s use of a severely-blurred poster of The Bads of Bollywood with his tweet. The long-running practice has often been employed by those passing off alleged “paid reviews” as their own.
Shashi Tharoor reviews Aryan Khan’s Ba***ds of Bollywood
The Indian politician’s inflated praises for the OTT title hit X on Sunday, October 26. Baring his heart, he confessed that Aryan’s new show had helped him at a time when he was battling cold and cough. Tharoor also disclosed that his staff and his sister, Smitha Tharoor, were the ones who motivated him to catch The Ba***ds of Bollywood on Netflix.
He then went on to brand it as “one of the best things I have ever treated myself to: absolute #OTT GOLD!”
In his signature writing style, Tharoor continued, “Just finished watching Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, “The Ba***ds of Bollywood”, and I’m left grasping for words of praise. It takes time to grow on you, but then you’re irresistibly hooked!” Calling the show’s writing “sharp,” and the direction “fearless,” he commended it for the satire’s “sheer audacity” for bringing on “what Bollywood needed.”
The INC leader added, “A genius, often hilarious, sometimes moving, and always unflinching look beyond the glamour, sending up every cinematic cliche with razor-like wit — and a series of insider jokes that let the audience into the act & behind the scenes.”
“The seven compelling episodes mark the arrival of a true storytelling powerhouse. Take a bow, Aryan Khan—you’ve delivered a masterpiece: “TheBa***dsOfBollywood” is brilliant!”
He then turned to Shah Rukh Khan, and concluded: “From one father to another, let me say: you must be so proud!!”
