Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede has claimed that he and his family are receiving a barrage of hate messages from across borders, specifically citing communications from Pakistan, the UAE, and Bangladesh, following his defamation suit against Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix over the series The Ba***ds of Bollywood.
Wankhede, who was the investigating officer in the 2021 cruise ship drug case involving Aryan Khan, has taken legal action, alleging that the satirical show portrays him in a derogatory and false light.
Speaking to ANI, Wankhede distanced the legal challenge from his professional duties, stating, “My personal belief is that this has nothing to do with my job or my profession. In my personal capacity, I have approached the Delhi High Court.” He, however, emphasized that the series’ satire insults not just him but also the officers working tirelessly against drug abuse, adding that his sister and wife are also facing the brunt of threats, which have been reported to the police.
Aryan Khan Defends Creative Freedom
Meanwhile, the show’s director, Aryan Khan, defended the creative choices made in the series. Acknowledging that the show blends satire and exaggeration, he stated that while certain scenes faced internal debate, he chose to take a stand.
“If you don’t like it, I mean, the show is not meant for you… your 18-year-old kid might like it, or your uncle might like it who enjoys certain kinds of humour,” Aryan Khan remarked, clarifying that the series is not a documentary but a blend of inspiration and exaggeration from reality.
Delhi High Court Issues Summons
The legal battle escalated as the Delhi High Court issued summons to Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, X Corp (formerly Twitter), Google, and Meta, among others, in connection with Wankhede’s defamation case. The court has directed the defendants to file their replies within seven days. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on October 30.
The series features an ensemble cast, including Lakshya, Bobby Deol, and Raghav Juyal, and boasts cameos by major stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Aamir Khan.