Former Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and ex-NCB Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede has taken legal action against Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment, accusing them of damaging his reputation through their controversial series “The Ba**ds of Bollywood.”*

The lawsuit, filed in the Delhi High Court, also names Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan, who own Red Chillies, as well as other involved parties. Wankhede is seeking Rs 2 crore in damages, which he says he will donate to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for cancer treatment.

Wankhede Demands Ban and Legal Relief

In his petition, Wankhede is asking the court for a permanent injunction against further streaming or distribution of the series. The suit also calls for a mandatory injunction, a public declaration, and compensation for what he terms a “false, malicious, and defamatory” depiction of him.

“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.”

Claim of Character Assassination Through Fictionalisation

Wankhede argues that although the series presents fictional characters, the resemblance to real events and individuals is unmistakable. In particular, one episode portrays an anti-drug officer storming a film industry party — a storyline that mirrors Wankhede’s past investigation involving Aryan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan’s son.

He contends that the content has been deliberately framed to harm his personal and professional standing, “Deliberately conceptualised and executed with the intent to malign Sameer Wankhede’s reputation in a colourable and prejudicial manner.”

Public Institutions Allegedly Undermined

Wankhede also raises concern about the broader implications of the show, stating that its content casts law enforcement agencies in a negative light. He claims that this could erode faith in anti-narcotics authorities among the public.

“This series disseminates a misleading and negative portrayal of anti-drug enforcement agencies, thereby eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions.”

Objection to Scene Insulting National Symbols

One particular scene, according to Wankhede, shows a character making an obscene gesture right after saying “Satyamev Jayate,” a national slogan and part of India’s national emblem. He has termed this as a serious breach of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which criminalises disrespect toward national symbols.

“The series, inter alia, depicts a character making an obscene gesture—specifically, showing a middle finger after the character recites the slogan ‘Satyamev Jayate’ which is the part of the National Emblem. This act constitutes a grave and sensitive violation of the provisions of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which attracts penal consequences under law.”

Violation of IT Laws and New Criminal Code

In addition to defamation and national insult, Wankhede claims that the series contains vulgar and offensive material that breaches India’s updated criminal code under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and provisions of the Information Technology Act. He asserts that the show is designed to offend national sentiments and provoke public reaction.

“The content of the series is in contravention of various provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as it seeks to outrage national sentiment through the use of obscene and offensive material.”

Legal Battle Amid Pending Case

Wankhede also emphasised that the court proceedings related to the Aryan Khan drug case which brought him national attention in 2021 are still ongoing in both the Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court in Mumbai. He argued that airing such content while the matter is sub judice could influence public perception and affect the judicial process.

“Especially when the case involving Sameer Wankhede and Aryan Khan is pending and sub-judice before the Hon’ble Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court, Mumbai.”

Background: Cruise Drug Case and Fallout

The legal fight follows the high-profile arrest of Aryan Khan, Arbaaz Merchant, and Munmun Dhamecha in October 2021 after the Narcotics Control Bureau raided a cruise ship off the Mumbai coast. Wankhede led the operation, which resulted in Aryan spending 25 days in jail. However, in 2022, all charges against Aryan were dropped. Wankhede himself was later removed from the investigation following allegations of extortion.