New Delhi: Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede has approached the Delhi High Court seeking an injunction against the Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, directed by Aryan Khan and produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, the company owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan.
In his petition, Wankhede has also sought ₹2 crore in damages, naming Netflix and other associated parties as respondents.
Wankhede challenges portrayal in series
Wankhede, a former officer of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), has argued that the series portrays him in a false, malicious, and defamatory manner. According to his plea, the show disseminates misleading narratives that undermine the credibility of anti-drug enforcement agencies, potentially eroding public trust in law enforcement institutions.
He contended that the series was deliberately conceptualised and executed to malign his reputation, particularly when his case connected to Aryan Khan is still pending before the Bombay High Court and the Special NDPS Court in Mumbai.
Focus on law enforcement image
The petition stresses that the show’s depiction of enforcement agencies could cause irreparable damage to institutional credibility. Wankhede alleged that the series not only targets him personally but also paints a negative image of agencies engaged in anti-drug operations, which could hinder their functioning.
The plea further notes that his professional reputation, built over years of service, has been gravely impacted by the way he has been represented in the docuseries.
Damages to benefit cancer patients
Interestingly, Wankhede has prayed that if damages are awarded, the compensation should be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital to support the treatment of cancer patients. This aspect of the plea, according to legal observers, may strengthen the officer’s case by highlighting his intent not to benefit personally but to protect his reputation and contribute to a social cause.
Background of the controversy
The case stems from the high-profile 2021 narcotics investigation involving Aryan Khan, in which Wankhede played a leading role as an NCB officer. The matter attracted widespread media attention, with allegations and counter-allegations surrounding the probe.
The Netflix series, helmed by Aryan Khan, has reignited debates over the incident, but Wankhede maintains that it has been scripted in a way that prejudices ongoing judicial proceedings.
Conclusion
The Delhi High Court is expected to hear Wankhede’s plea in the coming days. The case once again intertwines the spheres of law enforcement, celebrity culture, and freedom of creative expression, as courts weigh the limits of artistic liberty against reputational harm.