New Delhi, September 25, 2025 — The name Sameer Wankhede is again in the spotlight as he files a defamation suit against Netflix, Red Chillies Entertainment, and others over their web series The Ba**ds of Bollywood* — directed by Aryan Khan. The case brings back memories of the 2021 cruise-ship drug case involving Aryan Khan, where Wankhede played a central role. Let’s break down who Wankhede is, his connection to Khan, and why he claims the new series harms his reputation.
Who Is Sameer Wankhede?
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Sameer Wankhede (born December 14, 1979) is an Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer from the 2008 batch. Wikipedia
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He has also served as a zonal director in the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Mumbai. Wikipedia+2www.ndtv.com+2
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His name became nationally known during the October 2021 raid on a cruise ship, where Aryan Khan was arrested in connection with a drug investigation. BollywoodShaadis+3www.ndtv.com+3Wikipedia+3
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In that case, Aryan Khan was detained for over three weeks before being granted bail, and eventually cleared of all charges in 2022. The Economic Times+5www.ndtv.com+5The Indian Express+5
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Over the years, Wankhede himself has faced scrutiny. There have been allegations of corruption and misconduct in his handling of cases, especially the Aryan Khan case. Wikipedia+2www.ndtv.com+2
Link Between Wankhede and Aryan Khan
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In 2021, Wankhede was one of the lead officers in the NCB who arrested Aryan Khan during the cruise-ship raid. BollywoodShaadis+3www.ndtv.com+3Wikipedia+3
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That event triggered a media storm, legal challenges, and eventual exoneration of Aryan Khan. www.ndtv.com+2The Indian Express+2
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Because of that high-profile case, any dramatized portrayal in popular media of a narcotics officer around Bollywood or drug investigations invites strong public and legal reactions.
What Is The Bads of Bollywood*?**
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The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is a satirical action drama web series on Netflix, created, co-written, and directed by Aryan Khan. The Times of India+5Wikipedia+5www.ndtv.com+5
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It was released on September 18, 2025. www.ndtv.com+3Wikipedia+3Indiatimes+3
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The show is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan. BollywoodShaadis+4Wikipedia+4The Economic Times+4
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The plot centers around the film industry — mixing humor, drama, and satirical takes. Wikipedia
Wankhede’s Legal Action Against the Show
What He Allegedly Claims
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Wankhede says the show contains a character or scenes that mirror him—especially a narcotics-officer figure arresting Bollywood personalities, using a gesture (middle finger) after reciting “Satyamev Jayate”. Rediff+5The Indian Express+5www.ndtv.com+5
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He argues that such portrayals are defamatory, intended to malign his reputation and erode public confidence in anti-drug agencies. The Times of India+6The Indian Express+6www.ndtv.com+6
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Wankhede also claims the show makes objectionable references to the Aryan Khan case, which is still sub judice (pending in court), thereby violating legal norms about fair portrayal. The Economic Times+3The Indian Express+3www.ndtv.com+3
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He further alleges that a scene in the show where the character changes a gesture from thumbs up to middle finger after referencing “Satyamev Jayate” is a violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971. The Indian Express
What He Seeks
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A permanent and mandatory injunction to restrain further broadcast or depiction of those scenes. Indiatimes+3The Indian Express+3The Economic Times+3
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A declaration that the depiction is false, malicious, and defamatory. Rediff+2The Economic Times+2
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₹2 crore in damages, which he proposes to donate to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for cancer patients. The Times of India+4Indiatimes+4The Economic Times+4
Legal & Public Reactions So Far
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Wankhede filed the petition in the Delhi High Court. The Times of India+4The Economic Times+4The Economic Times+4
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He named not just Netflix and Red Chillies, but also platforms like Google, Meta, and X (formerly Twitter) in the suit. The Indian Express
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The complaint cites that the series is deliberately designed to misrepresent him and damage the image of drug-enforcement institutions. The Economic Times+3The Indian Express+3www.ndtv.com+3
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Some media outlets interpret the lawsuit as Wankhede viewing the show as an “insult to national honour” beyond personal defamation. Hindustan Times+1
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As of now, Netflix and Red Chillies have not publicly commented on the suit. www.ndtv.com+3Hindustan Times+3The Economic Times+3
Why This Case Is Significant
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Intersection of Fiction & Reality — It raises legal and ethical questions: when does dramatization become defamation?
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High-profile background — Because of the earlier Aryan Khan drug case, the public sees strong echoes, intensifying scrutiny.
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Agencies under critique — The case involves portrayal of law enforcement, which can influence public trust.
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Legal precedence — Court’s handling may set benchmarks for creative freedom vs. reputational rights in Indian courts.
❓ FAQs
Q1: Did the creators admit the character is based on Wankhede?
No official confirmation has been made. Wankhede asserts the resemblance is deliberate. The Indian Express+3Indiatimes+3The Economic Times+3
Q2: Was Aryan Khan cleared in the 2021 case?
Yes, he was exonerated by courts in 2022. www.ndtv.com+2The Indian Express+2
Q3: Is Wankhede facing any legal issues too?
Yes, Wankhede has faced investigations, including alleged bribery in connection with the Aryan Khan case. The Times of India+2Wikipedia+2
Q4: Can a TV show be sued for defamation in India?
Yes — persons can file defamation suits if they believe their portrayal in media is injurious and false.
Q5: When will the Delhi High Court hear this case?
No date has been officially disclosed yet. The court process is underway.
