Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede has approached the Delhi High Court seeking damages against Shah Rukh Khan’s production company Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix. Wankhede alleges that the recently released web series “The Ba**ds of Bollywood”* portrays him in a defamatory and misleading light.
Defamation Suit and Compensation Demand
In his petition, Wankhede has sought ₹2 crore in damages, which he claims will be donated to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for cancer patient treatment. The case has been filed against Red Chillies Entertainment, owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, along with Netflix, the platform streaming the show.
Wankhede argued that the series spreads “false, malicious, and defamatory” content, undermining his professional reputation as a law enforcement officer.
What the Series Portrays
The controversy arose after the first episode of The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, which began streaming on Netflix on September 18. It features a character resembling Sameer Wankhede, who is shown targeting Bollywood celebrities for alleged drug use.
Wankhede claims this depiction was deliberately created to malign his image, especially since the Aryan Khan drugs case—in which he was the investigating officer—is still pending before the Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court in Mumbai.
Alleged Violations in the Series
According to Wankhede, the series also includes objectionable scenes. One character is shown making an obscene gesture (raising the middle finger) after chanting “Satyamev Jayate,” part of the Indian National Emblem.
Wankhede’s petition argues that this scene violates the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, along with provisions under the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as it offends national sentiment through obscene material.
Background: Aryan Khan Drug Case
The controversy traces back to October 3, 2021, when Aryan Khan, son of Shah Rukh Khan, along with others, was arrested by the NCB during a cruise ship raid. The arrests led to significant media attention as banned drugs were allegedly seized. Aryan Khan spent 25 days in custody before securing bail.
At the time, Sameer Wankhede, then a senior NCB officer, was leading the investigation. His role in the case had already placed him at the center of heated debates.
What Lies Ahead
The defamation case now moves to the Delhi High Court, where Wankhede seeks both legal relief and protection of his reputation. The outcome could influence how future OTT platforms handle portrayals of real-life officers and sensitive cases still under judicial consideration.