Sameer Wankhede vs Aryan Khan: Ex-NCB officer sues Netflix, Red Chillies

The long-running saga involving former NCB Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede and actor Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan has resurfaced. This time, it is over Aryan’s directorial debut, the Netflix series 'The Ba**ds of Bollywood.' Wankhede has filed Rs 2 crore defamation suit in the Delhi High Court against Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, and others, alleging that the series carries “false, malicious, and defamatory” content aimed at tarnishing his image.

Allegations of Malice

In his plea, Wankhede claims that the show misrepresents anti-drug enforcement agencies and deliberately paints him in a negative light, particularly while court proceedings involving him and Aryan Khan are still pending in Mumbai. He argues that such portrayal is not only unfair but also prejudicial, undermining his reputation and credibility at a sensitive time.

Controversial Content Highlighted

The lawsuit points to a sequence in the series where a character delivers the phrase 'Satyamev Jayate' and then makes an obscene gesture. Wankhede contends this violates the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and also breaches provisions of the IT Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) by promoting obscene and offensive material.

Also Read: The Ba***ds of Bollywood’s untold story: Aryan Khan's smile phobia to sleepless nights

Relief Sought

Apart from damages, which he has pledged to donate to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for patient treatment, Wankhede has sought an immediate restraint on the show’s streaming and distribution. He maintains that the series not only harms his personal reputation but also risks eroding public trust in institutions tasked with enforcing India’s drug laws.

What Next?

The Delhi High Court is expected to hear the matter soon, adding another chapter to the contentious Wankhede–Aryan Khan narrative.