Sameer Wankhede files defamation suit against Shah Rukh Khan and Aryan Khan’s The Ba**ds of Bollywood, demands Rs 2 cr damages

Wankhede has further alleged that the show was purposefully conceptualised to malign his personal and professional image. He also pointed out that the legal case concerning him and Aryan Khan is still pending before the Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court in Mumbai, and thus, the portrayal is both prejudicial and irresponsible. His statement said, “Sameer Wankhede, IRS Officer, has filed a defamation suit before the Delhi High Court seeking reliefs in the nature of permanent and mandatory injunction, declaration, and damages against Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd, owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, the OTT platform, Netflix and others, having been aggrieved by a false, malicious, and defamatory video produced by Red Chillies and broadcast by Netflix as part of their television series titled The Ba***ds of Bollywood. This series disseminates a misleading and negative portrayal of anti-drug enforcement agencies, thereby eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions.”

The petition raised concerns about a scene in the show where a narcotics officer arrives at a party to nab people caught taking drugs. In that moment, a character is shown making an obscene gesture — raising the middle finger towards him — immediately after the officer says the national slogan “Satyamev Jayate,” which is part of India’s National Emblem. Wankhede called it a serious violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which is punishable under Indian law.

What’s the scene in question?

The aforementioned scene appears in the first episode of the show. It depicts a narcotics officer declaring, “I will raid this venue today,” after he reaches a Bollywood party. He further adds, “Satyamev Jayate,” the motto that Wankhede often used while addressing Aryan’s case on X (formerly Twitter).

The sequence continues with the officer spotting a man smoking and lecturing him, saying, “I am a part of war against drugs. I am part of wall against drugs. I am part of NCG.” However, the smoker dismisses him, saying he is not part of Bollywood, leaving the officer frustrated and disinterested. The officer then notices an actor nearby and questions him, “How can you stand next to a man who is smoking a joint?” before slapping him and ordering his team to arrest the actor. As the arrest is made, he says, “Ye Bollywood vale bhi na (These Bollywood people na…).”

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