New Delhi: Sameer Wankhede, former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer and Indian Revenue Service (IRS) official, has approached the Delhi High Court against Aryan Khan’s series The Ba***ds of Bollywood and Shah Rukh Khan over his alleged portrayal in the show.
The IRS officer has filed a defamation suit against the Netflix show, directed by Aryan Khan and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan.
According to ANI, Wankhede has sought relief in the nature of a permanent and mandatory injunction, a declaration, and damages against the production house, Netflix, and others. He argued that the series contains false, malicious, and defamatory content against him.
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“This series disseminates a misleading and negative portrayal of anti-drug enforcement agencies, thereby eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions,” he claimed in his plea.
Sameer Wankhede Seeks Rs 2 Crore in Damages
Wankhede has reportedly sought Rs 2 crore in damages from Shah Rukh Khan and Red Chillies Entertainment, alleging that his reputation has been maligned in a “colourable and prejudicial” manner. He has further stated that any compensation awarded will be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for the treatment of cancer patients.
The suit also contends that the portrayal unfairly targets him while judicial scrutiny in related matters is still ongoing. Referring to one particular scene in the series where a character makes an obscene gesture after reciting Satyamev Jayate, Wankhede alleged that the act amounts to a grave violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which attracts penal consequences.
Additionally, the petition accuses The Ba***ds of Bollywood of presenting a distorted and negative image of anti-drug enforcement agencies, thereby eroding public trust in institutions tasked with upholding drug laws.
Wankhede has sought the court’s direction to restrain the streaming and distribution of the series and to declare the content defamatory. He maintains that beyond harming his personal reputation, the show undermines faith in law enforcement.
The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the matter soon.
What Happened in the Series?
In the first episode of The Ba***ds of Bollywood, an officer is shown arresting Bollywood celebrities involved in drug consumption. Many viewers speculated that the character was inspired by Sameer Wankhede.
For context, in 2021, Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau on charges of possession, consumption, and purchase/sale of banned drugs.
