Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede has taken legal action against the Netflix series "The Ba***ds of Bollywood," alleging defamation and seeking damages of ₹2 crore. Wankhede, who led the 2021 raid that resulted in the arrest of actor Shah Rukh Khan's son, Aryan Khan, claims the series falsely maligns him and discredits anti-drug enforcement agencies. The Delhi High Court is hearing the case.
Wankhede's lawsuit targets Red Chillies Entertainment, owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, as well as Netflix, X, Google, and Meta Platforms. He asserts that the series deliberately portrays anti-drug agencies in a negative light, potentially weakening public trust in law enforcement. Wankhede claims the series was designed to damage his reputation, especially with his case involving Aryan Khan still ongoing in the Bombay High Court and Special NDPS Court in Mumbai.
One of the key points of contention is a scene in "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" where a character makes an obscene gesture, specifically showing a middle finger, after reciting the slogan "Satyamev Jayate," which is part of the National Emblem. Wankhede argues this act violates the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, attracting legal penalties. He also contends the series violates the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita by using obscene and offensive material to outrage national sentiment.
The Delhi High Court initially questioned the maintainability of Wankhede's plea, but allowed his lawyers to amend the complaint. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued notices to the defendants, requesting them to file replies within seven days, and scheduled a further hearing for October 30, 2025. However, the court did not issue any immediate order to remove the allegedly defamatory content from websites and social media.
Red Chillies Entertainment has opposed Wankhede's plea, describing the defamation suit as "wholly misconceived, untenable in law, and devoid of merit". The production house argues that "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" is a work of situational satire that doesn't name or depict Wankhede, nor does it contain any defamatory material. They also challenge the Delhi High Court's territorial jurisdiction, arguing that both Wankhede and the principal defendants are based in Mumbai. Red Chillies contends that Wankhede was already subject to public ridicule before the series' release and therefore cannot claim fresh reputational damage. They also point to the CBI FIR registered against Wankhede in May 2023 for alleged extortion and corruption, undermining his claim of an unblemished record.
Wankhede has pledged to donate any damages awarded to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital. His legal team argues that the series distorts anti-narcotics enforcement and erodes public confidence in law enforcement institutions. They also claim the series was deliberately created to malign Wankhede's reputation, especially since the case involving him and Aryan Khan remains sub-judice.
The case highlights the clash between artistic expression and potential defamation, particularly when public figures and ongoing legal matters are involved. The court will need to consider whether "The Ba***ds of Bollywood" is indeed a satirical work or a deliberate attempt to damage Wankhede's reputation.
