Sameer Wankhede Hits Back Aryan Khan, Files ₹2 Crore Defamation Case
Ex-NCB officer Sameer Wankhede drags Aryan Khan, Netflix and Red Chillies to court, claiming The Ba***ds of Bollywood defames him. Here’s the backstory that reignited a storm.
The controversy surrounding Aryan Khan just found new fuel. Former NCB Mumbai zonal director Sameer Wankhede has filed a defamation suit worth ₹2 crore in the Delhi High Court against Netflix, Red Chillies Entertainment, Aryan Khan and others involved in the production of the new series The Ba***ds of Bollywood.
Wankhede argues that the show doesn’t just dabble in fiction, it paints a distorted version of him while cases linked to him are still in court. He has asked the court to block its release, declare certain portions defamatory, and order Netflix to pull the plug until changes are made. Interestingly, he also pledged that if damages are awarded, the money would go to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital.
Why Wankhede Feels Targeted
At the heart of his complaint is a scene in the first episode. The character, he claims, resembles him in both looks and style, barges into a glitzy party, and starts lecturing Bollywood about drugs with the slogan “Satyamev Jayate” on his lips. For Wankhede, this is no coincidence as he believes the makers deliberately created a thinly veiled version of him to ridicule his image.
He calls the portrayal “malicious,” alleging it undermines not just his name but also the credibility of anti-drug agencies. His legal team insists the show violates multiple laws and unfairly drags him into the spotlight while he’s still dealing with ongoing inquiries.
A Reminder of the Aryan Khan Case
For those who’ve forgotten, Sameer Wankhede is the IRS officer who spearheaded the 2021 raid on a luxury cruise ship in Mumbai. That operation led to the arrest of Aryan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan’s son, on alleged drug charges. Aryan spent nearly a month behind bars before being granted bail, and by mid-2022, he was cleared of all charges due to lack of evidence.
The case turned Wankhede into both a high-profile officer and a lightning rod for controversy. He was later accused of mishandling the investigation and even extortion, charges he strongly denies. The fallout eventually saw him transferred out of the NCB.
What This Clash Really Means
Now, with The Ba***ds of Bollywood, that chapter has returned in cinematic form and Wankhede isn’t staying silent. The court’s decision could set a precedent for how far streaming platforms can push “fiction inspired” controversies.
