Delhi High Court Backs Sameer Wankhede in The Bads of Bollywood Case
Delhi High Court Backs Sameer Wankhede in The Bads of Bollywood Case
Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede has intensified his battle against Netflix, Red Chillies Entertainment, and director Aryan Khan after the release of The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. Accusing the makers of defamation, Wankhede alleges the series includes a scene deliberately crafted to allude to the infamous “drugs-on-cruise” case involving Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan, which he had overseen. According to his petition, the portrayal was intended to humiliate him and damage his reputation.
Although Red Chillies Entertainment has defended the project as satirical fiction, the Delhi High Court has now observed that the show appears to carry a “biased” undercurrent, reigniting the controversy. – Delhi High Court Backs Sameer Wankhede in The Bads of Bollywood Case
Red Chillies’ Argument: ‘Satire Cannot Be Gagged’
Appearing for Red Chillies Entertainment, Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi (Kaul) argued that satire by nature draws inspiration from real personalities and incidents, and creators cannot be penalized for artistic interpretation.
Calling the show a piece of situational satire, he stated:
“I am entitled to do this. Every producer or paparazzi cannot walk in tomorrow and claim defamation because a character looks like them.”
To underline the value of unrestricted satire, he referenced legendary cartoonist R.K. Laxman, known for poking fun even at prime ministers.
However, the High Court disagreed with the comparison, observing that Laxman’s work never displayed the type of bias that seems visible in the contested Netflix series. – Delhi High Court Backs Sameer Wankhede in The Bads of Bollywood Case
Wankhede’s Lawyer Responds: ‘If It Is Satire, Say Who It Is About’
Representing Wankhede, Advocate J. Sai Deepak countered that satire must still be rooted in identifiable reality:
“Satire is based on something that exists. Who exactly are you satirizing?”
He argued that the questionable scene contributes nothing to the narrative and only serves to mock Wankhede, harming his dignity while costing the makers nothing if removed.
The advocate also emphasized the fallout Wankhede has suffered, stating that the portrayal has convinced viewers that he is dishonest. He noted that even reviewers, including Kamal R. Khan, interpreted the depiction as a direct dig at Wankhede, further fueling outrage and online trolling. – Delhi High Court Backs Sameer Wankhede in The Bads of Bollywood Case
Court Questions Pending Proceedings Against Wankhede
During the hearing, the bench also queried details of ongoing CBI, ED, and CAT cases linked to Wankhede. Reacting emotionally to the scrutiny, the former NCB officer asked:
“Do I deserve this trial in public opinion?”
Kaul responded by noting that any ongoing investigations were independent of Netflix and Red Chillies, adding that the original drugs case involved Aryan Khan and not the production house.
Allegations of Conspiracy and Harmful Impact
Advocate Deepak accused Netflix and Red Chillies of being “in cahoots,” saying they cannot hide behind disclaimers, which “do not work on public memory.”
He further alleged that the series put the entire Wankhede family at risk by exposing them to ridicule, threats, and character assassination. – Delhi High Court Backs Sameer Wankhede in The Bads of Bollywood Case
What’s Next?
The Delhi High Court will continue hearing the matter on November 26, when the bench is expected to evaluate whether the controversial scene can remain part of a work labelled as satire or whether it crosses into targeted defamation. Until then, the debate over creative freedom versus reputational harm continues to escalate.
Delhi High Court Backs Sameer Wankhede in The Bads of Bollywood Case
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