Former narcotics officer Sameer Wankhede has filed a defamation lawsuit against actor Shah Rukh Khan, his production company Red Chillies Entertainment, and the makers of the Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. The suit concerns his portrayal in the web series, which is directed by Aryan Khan.

The Defamation Claim

Wankhede is seeking Rs 2 crore in damages from Shah Rukh Khan and Red Chillies Entertainment, with the request that the amount be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital to help cancer patients. In his legal filing before the Delhi High Court, Wankhede has requested permanent and mandatory injunctions, a public declaration, and compensation.

In his statement, Wankhede stated, "The series has maliciously portrayed me and the anti-drug enforcement agencies in a false and defamatory manner, severely damaging public trust in law enforcement."

The Series' Portrayal

The first episode of The Ba**ds of Bollywood* features a character resembling Wankhede, who is shown outside a Bollywood party, searching for individuals involved in drug use. Since the series began streaming on Netflix on September 18, social media users have drawn comparisons between Wankhede and this character.

Wankhede's Allegations

Wankhede alleges that the series was intentionally created to damage his reputation, particularly since the case involving Aryan Khan's drug charges is still ongoing in court. He also criticized the show for a scene in which a character gestures offensively with a middle finger while reciting the national motto “Satyamev Jayate,” calling it a violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act.

Additionally, Wankhede's statement accuses the series of violating various laws, including the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), for promoting offensive material that could harm national sentiment.

Background of the Case

Wankhede led the Narcotics Control Bureau’s investigation into Aryan Khan and others in 2021, following a raid on a cruise ship that led to the seizure of illegal drugs. Aryan Khan, along with Ayaaz Merchant and Munmun Dhamecha, was arrested and charged with drug-related offenses. Aryan spent 25 days in jail before being granted bail. In May 2022, all charges against him were dropped, and Wankhede was removed from the case amid allegations of blackmail.

Source: NDTV