Premium

‘Officers should not be thin-skinned’: Red Chillies Entertainment hits back at Sameer Wankhede’s defamation case against Aryan Khan show Ba***ds of Bollywood

Red Chillies Entertainment argued that the content in The Ba***ds of Bollywood constitutes artistic expression and satire, protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, and any attempt to impose prior restraint or censorship would only be justified under Article 19(2).

Sameer Wankhede recently tore into the film industry for its purported glorification of smoking and the consumption of narcotic substances.

IRS officer Sameer Wankhede. (Credit: Facebook/@sameerwankhedencb)

Red Chillies Entertainment has opposed IRS officer Sameer Wankhede’s defamation suit before the Delhi High Court over his alleged defamatory portrayal in Netflix’s The Ba***ds of Bollywood, a satirical series directed by actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan. In its response to Wankhede’s interim injunction plea, the production house maintained that the show is a work of satire and parody, and the depiction of characters cannot be construed as defamatory in any manner.

Citing excerpts from its statement, LiveLaw reported that Red Chillies stated: “The allegations levelled against Defendant No. 1 relate to a clip lasting not more than one minute and forty-eight seconds, where a police officer in plain clothes is merely portrayed as an overzealous officer. There is nothing remotely defamatory about the said clip.”

The production company further argued that the content constitutes artistic expression and satire, protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, and any attempt to impose prior restraint or censorship would only be justified under Article 19(2).

Red Chillies also emphasised that Wankhede, being a public official, should be open to criticism and artistic interpretation, asserting that “those who occupy public positions must not be overly thin-skinned.”

The statement added that the show explores multiple facets of the Bollywood industry—such as nepotism, paparazzi culture, adultery, and the struggles of newcomers—through the lens of humour and exaggeration.

ALSO READ | Parmeet Sethi jokes about SS Rajamouli, says ‘a mooli from South has become very famous’; Archana Puran Singh apologises: ‘If you are watching…’

“Being a work of satire, all characters in the series are deliberately portrayed with exaggerated traits and mannerisms to elicit humour and highlight societal or situational absurdities. Satire, by its nature, relies on overstatement, caricature, and hyperbole, and is not intended to convey factual assertions about any real individual. Such exaggeration is a recognised and protected form of expression, designed to entertain, provoke thought, and critique, and cannot, by itself, constitute defamation,” the production house reportedly stated.

Story continues below this ad

The matter was taken up for hearing by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, who listed it for further proceedings on November 10, directing all parties to file their written submissions.

What is the case about?

Sameer Wankhede has sought Rs 2 crore in damages, alleging that the portrayal of a police officer in Aryan Khan’s show has tarnished his reputation, especially since the case involving him and the star kid is still pending before the Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court.

Wankhede has filed the defamation suit against Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, the producers of the show, stating that the compensation—if awarded—would be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for the treatment of cancer patients.

Sameer Wankhede rose to prominence in 2021, when he arrested Aryan Khan in a high-profile drug case, sparking nationwide debate and controversy.

Click here to follow Screen Digital on YouTube and stay updated with the latest from the world of cinema.