New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued summons to Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, and others in a defamation suit filed by Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede over the recently released Netflix series Ba**ds of Bollywood. The court, however, declined to grant an interim injunction on the streaming of the show at this stage.
The series, which premiered on September 18, marks the directorial debut of Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, and is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment. The show has drawn attention for its alleged portrayal of real-life incidents connected to the 2021 Mumbai cruise drug case, which was investigated by Wankhede.
Court proceedings
During the hearing, Wankhede’s counsel argued that the series defamed the officer by allegedly depicting events and characters resembling the 2021 case, in which Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, was arrested and later released. The counsel contended that the portrayal in the series damaged Wankhede’s professional reputation and sought an immediate stay on the streaming.
Representing Red Chillies Entertainment, the counsel submitted that the series is a fictional work and not based on any specific real-life individual or event. They argued that halting the streaming would cause significant loss and was unwarranted without a detailed hearing on merits.
After hearing both sides, Justice [Name withheld] issued summons to all respondents and sought their replies. The court has listed the matter for further hearing later this month.
Wankhede’s claim
Sameer Wankhede, a 2008-batch IRS officer, rose to prominence for his role as the zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) during the 2021 Mumbai cruise drugs case. He later faced departmental scrutiny over allegations of misconduct, which he has denied.
In his defamation plea, Wankhede alleged that Ba**ds of Bollywood tarnished his image by implying corruption and misuse of authority. The petition seeks both removal of the alleged defamatory content and damages for reputational harm.
About the series
Ba**ds of Bollywood, released globally on Netflix, is described as a dark satire exploring the underbelly of fame, power, and controversy in the Hindi film industry. Aryan Khan, in his directorial debut, has received praise for his visual storytelling and mature handling of complex themes. However, the series has also faced criticism for its alleged parallels with real incidents involving high-profile Bollywood figures.
The court has clarified that no interim stay will apply until a detailed hearing determines whether the content violates Wankhede’s rights.
What’s next
With the summons issued, Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, and Aryan Khan are expected to file their responses in the coming days. The outcome of this case could have broader implications for creative freedom in Indian streaming content and the boundaries between fiction and real-life inspiration.