Bollywood has given us countless stories about fame, struggles, ambition, and the dark side of stardom. These movies and shows dive deep into the world behind the cameras-showing the glitz, the heartbreak, and the price of chasing dreams. If you love stories inspired by Bollywood, here are some unforgettable picks you can binge-watch.
1. The Fame Game (Netflix)
The Fame Game tells about Anamika Anand, a famous Bollywood actress who suddenly disappears one day. As the police and her family dig into her life, many hidden secrets come out-her marriage is abusive, her mother controls her, and her children face their own struggles. What seemed like a perfect life soon shows cracks, and her disappearance becomes a way to reveal the truth behind fame, lies, and relationships.
2. Fanney Khan (Amazon MX Player)
Fanney Khan is a musical comedy-drama about Prashant “Fanney Khan” Sharma, a middle-aged man who dreams of making his daughter Lata a singing star. Lata has a beautiful voice but faces body shaming and rejection. In desperation, Fanney kidnaps superstar singer Baby Singh to pressure the industry to give Lata a chance. Through twists, emotions, and unexpected alliances, the story shows a father’s struggle, sacrifice, and hope to see his daughter succeed.
3. Luck By Chance (Amazon Prime Video)
Luck by Chance follows Vikram Jaisingh, a young man from Delhi who moves to Mumbai to become a film actor. He meets Sona Mishra, a struggling actress, and they support each other while facing the harsh realities of Bollywood. Vikram’s talent, luck, and risks help him land a big break, but success strains his relationship with Sona and forces him to confront his own ambitions. The film is a candid look behind the scenes of the movie world-showing dreams, betrayals, superstition, and how fame can change people.
4. Rangeela (Amazon Prime Video)
Rangeela is a colourful romantic drama set in Mumbai, about a small-time dancer named Mili (played by Urmila Matondkar) who dreams of becoming a film star. When she meets a charming aspiring actor, Munna, her life changes, and she gets her break. But her longtime friend, Raj (played by Aamir Khan), secretly in love with her, struggles with jealousy and confusion as Mili’s fame grows. The film mixes love, ambition, friendship, and Mumbai’s glamour in a lively, emotional story.
5. Heroine
Heroine tells the story of Mahi Arora, a once-famous Bollywood actress whose career and personal life spiral downward. As she battles depression, failed relationships, and the pressure to stay relevant, she tries to reinvent herself through publicity stunts and risky choices. In the end, she walks away from the industry, exhausted and alone, after confronting the harsh realities of fame.
6. Om Shanti Om (Netflix)
Om Shanti Om is a Bollywood romantic fantasy about Om Prakash Makhija, a struggling junior artist in the 1970s who loves the actress Shanti Priya. When Shanti is mysteriously killed in a fire, Om also dies and is reincarnated years later as the star Om Kapoor. In his new life, he regains memories of his past and vows to expose Mukesh Mehra, the powerful producer behind Shanti’s murder. Combining love, revenge, drama, and reincarnation, the film celebrates Bollywood with song, spectacle and heartfelt emotion.
7. Showtime (JioHotstar)
Showtime is a Hindi drama that gives a look into life behind Bollywood’s scenes. The show follows the intense power struggles, hidden rivalries, and personal battles inside a major film studio called Viktory Studios. Key characters include Raghu Khanna, a film producer from a famous family; Mahika Nandy, a journalist turned producer; and Armaan Singh, a superstar with his own conflicts. Secrets, ambition, love, betrayal and the dark side of fame all play out in this show about what goes on off-camera.
8. An Action Hero (Netflix)
An Action Hero is a 2022 Hindi action thriller about a famous film star, Maanav Khurana, whose life turns upside down when he inadvertently kills a politician’s brother during an altercation. With the media, the police, and a vengeful family on his trail, Maanav goes on the run-even fleeing abroad-to prove his innocence. The film blends suspense, dark humour, and a critique of celebrity culture while following Maanav’s fight to reclaim his image and justice.
9. Superboys of Malegaon (Amazon Prime Video)
Superboys of Malegaon is a coming-of-age drama based on real life. In a small town called Malegaon, a young videographer named Nasir and his friends decide to make a film of their own after years of mocking big Bollywood movies. Despite having no money, no studio, and only their passion, they fight hard to bring their dream to life, facing failures, friendship breaks, and creative conflicts along the way. In the end, it is a tribute to the spirit of making movies against all odds.
10. Bombay Talkies (YouTube)
Bombay Talkies is a 2013 Hindi anthology film made up of four short stories directed by Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, and Anurag Kashyap. The film celebrates 100 years of Indian cinema by exploring themes of dreams, identity, and acceptance-one story follows a man coming out as gay, another a struggling actor, and others show a child dancer and a man fulfilling his father’s last wish. The film pays tribute to Bollywood’s past while telling modern, emotional tales of ordinary people trying to express themselves.
So, which of these is your favourite!