No Relief for Sameer Wankhede: Delhi High Court Says, 'Suit Not Maintainable'
Sameer Wankhede alleged that the Netflix series 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood' presented a “false, malicious, and defamatory” portrayal of him
The Delhi High Court on Friday rejected the defamation suit filed by IRS officer Sameer Wankhede against the Netflix series “Ba**ds of Bollywood”*, ruling that the plaint, in its current form, was "not maintainable".
The matter came before Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav.
The suit names multiple defendants, including Red Chillies Entertainment Private Limited, Netflix, X Corp (formerly Twitter), Google LLC, Meta Platforms, RPG Lifestyle Media Private Limited, and a John Doe.
Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi appeared for Wankhede, while Senior Advocates Harish Salve and Mukul Rohatgi represented Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment respectively.
During the hearing, the Court questioned Sethi on the cause of action, noting that the plaint did not clearly establish how a civil suit could be filed in Delhi.
Sethi contended that the web series was accessible across cities, including Delhi, and the allegedly defamatory memes targeted him in the capital.
However, the Court noted that the plaintiff’s averments under Section 9 of the Civil Procedure Code and specific facts in paragraphs 37 and 38 were insufficient.
The Bench remarked that had the case been framed to show defamation occurring across multiple places including Delhi, with maximum damage here, it would have been considered.
Although the Court rejected the current plaint, it allowed Wankhede to amend it. No fresh hearing date was set; the Court directed that the Registry will list the matter once the amended application is filed.
Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer and former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede has approached the Delhi High Court with a defamation suit, seeking an injunction against the Netflix series “Ba***ds of Bollywood”, directed by Aryan Khan. Wankhede contends that the show was conceived with the intent of damaging his reputation. The series, which premiered on September 18 on Netflix, marks Aryan Khan’s directorial debut and is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, the company owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan.
Wankhede has filed the suit against both Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix, demanding damages of Rs 2 crore. He has further requested that the compensation, if granted, be donated to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for the benefit of cancer patients. The plea seeks a permanent and mandatory injunction, along with a declaration and damages, against Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, and others associated with the show. Wankhede has alleged that his portrayal in “Ba***ds of Bollywood” is “false, malicious, and defamatory,” arguing that the content produced by Red Chillies and broadcast on Netflix misrepresents him.
According to the suit, “Ba***ds of Bollywood”, depicts a distorted and negative image of anti-drug enforcement agencies, which, Wankhede claims, risks eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions. His plea also raises objections to a particular scene in which a character is shown raising the middle finger immediately after uttering the national slogan “Satyamev Jayate.” Wankhede asserts that this act constitutes a serious violation of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, and is punishable under Indian law.
He further claims that the show has been deliberately designed and executed to damage his reputation in a colourable and prejudicial manner, particularly at a time when proceedings involving him and Aryan Khan remain pending before the Bombay High Court and the Special NDPS Court.
Case Title: Sameer Dnyandev Wankhede v. Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. & Ors.
Bench: Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav.
Hearing Date: 26 September 2025