Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment has strongly contested former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede’s petition seeking an interim injunction on the newly released satirical series The Ba**ds of Bollywood. The production house told the Delhi High Court that the show, created by Aryan Khan and positioned as a parody, is purely fictional and does not depict or reference the 2021 Cordelia cruise case.
Red Chillies argues that satire and fiction can coexist
Appearing for Red Chillies, senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul argued before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav that the law does not bar creative works from being inspired by real-life events or personalities, provided they are not portrayed as factual. Kaul submitted that the series, which deals with exaggerated portrayals of Bollywood parties and hyperactive officials, falls squarely within the realm of satire.
Kaul told the court, “Can satire and fiction co-exist? There is no law that says they cannot. A story may draw partial inspiration from real persons or incidents, yet remain fictional with appropriate disclaimers. There is no ill-will or malice.”
The counsel stressed that the show includes references to multiple fictionalised themes, and any similarities with real cases were coincidental rather than intentional.
“We are not making a documentary on the Cordelia cruise incident,” Kaul said. “The narrative explores nearly 20 different issues. Being inspired by the idea of overenthusiastic officers is not the same as retelling a specific case.”
Wankhede seeks injunction claiming defamation
Former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede has sought legal relief, alleging that the satirical series defames him by creating characters and situations that viewers may associate with the 2021 cruise raid. His plea argues that such portrayals could affect his reputation and mislead audiences.
The High Court is currently reviewing the arguments and will determine whether the show requires restrictions pending the final outcome of the defamation case.
Background: Aryan Khan’s 2021 drug case
The controversy around the parody is rooted in a major incident from 2021, when Aryan Khan was detained during a Narcotics Control Bureau operation aboard a Goa-bound cruise ship. The raid, overseen at the time by officer Sameer Wankhede, led to the star’s son being arrested and kept in custody for nearly three weeks.
The case drew national attention, prompted heated debates across social and political circles, and placed Shah Rukh Khan’s family under intense scrutiny. After months of investigation, Aryan Khan was ultimately given a clean chit by the NCB, which found no evidence warranting charges.
Conclusion
As the legal battle escalates, the matter raises broader questions about artistic freedom, the boundaries of satire, and the degree to which fictional works can refer to real-life events without crossing into defamation. The Delhi High Court’s decision is likely to influence future disputes involving creative expression and public figures.