The Delhi High Court has questioned Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix over the alleged biased portrayal of former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) official Sameer Wankhede in the satirical drama The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. The remarks came during the hearing of Wankhede’s plea, in which he alleged that the series defames him by depicting a character closely resembling him.
Court flags bias in depiction
During the hearing, the court observed that although the creators have termed the series as satire, the depiction appears to be influenced by bias. The court pointed out that satire must be fair and not motivated, especially when there is a known history between the creator and the person depicted.
Wankhede, who arrested actor Aryan Khan in 2021 during his tenure with the NCB—before charges were eventually dropped—argued that the show’s portrayal damages his reputation. He claimed that the plain-clothed cop character in the series mirrors him and has been deliberately designed to misrepresent his role and actions.
Producers defend satire, cite creative freedom
Appearing for Red Chillies Entertainment, Senior Advocate Kaul defended the show, asserting that the creators were well within their rights to use satire. He argued that the complaint was akin to “putting a gun to their head,” adding that creators often draw inspiration from real-life figures without direct replication.
Kaul further emphasised India’s longstanding tradition of political and social satire, referring to the work of cartoonist R.K. Laxman, who was known for lampooning political leaders, including Prime Ministers. However, the court interrupted, noting that Laxman’s work did not demonstrate bias, unlike the present case where the relationship between Aryan Khan and Wankhede raises concerns.
Wankhede seeks compensation, removal of scenes
In his plea, Wankhede has demanded compensation and requested that the character’s scenes be removed from the series. He argued that the portrayal is intentionally defamatory and could mislead viewers about his real-life conduct as an NCB officer.
The internet, too, has been quick to draw parallels between the fictional cop and Wankhede, further intensifying the controversy. Many social media users have commented on the character’s resemblance and questioned the timing and motivation behind such a portrayal.
About The Ba**ds of Bollywood*
Directed by Aryan Khan, the show features Lakshya, Sahher Bambba, Bobby Deol, Raghav Juyal, Mona Singh, Anya Singh and Manoj Pahwa in key roles. The series revolves around a cop determined to crack down on drug-related crimes and has been marketed as a dark satire on the film industry.
The show is currently streaming on Netflix.
Conclusion
The High Court’s remarks suggest that the case will likely continue to attract legal and public scrutiny. As the matter progresses, the court is expected to examine whether the satirical elements of the show cross into defamation, especially given the personal history between Aryan Khan and Sameer Wankhede. A detailed hearing on the subject is expected in the coming weeks.