New Delhi: Red Chillies Entertainment, the production company owned by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, has strongly contested the defamation suit filed by IRS officer Sameer Wankhede against the Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*.
Responding to the Delhi High Court’s directive to submit written arguments, the production house described Wankhede’s petition as “wholly misconceived, untenable in law, and devoid of merit.”
‘A Work of Satire, Not Defamation’: Red Chillies’ Defense
In its written submission, Red Chillies Entertainment clarified that the show is a work of situational satire that does not name or depict Wankhede, nor contain any defamatory material.
“Being a work of satire, all characters in the said series are deliberately portrayed with exaggerated traits and mannerisms to elicit humour and highlight societal or situational absurdities,” the production house said.
The company emphasized that satire relies on exaggeration, caricature, and hyperbole, which are protected forms of expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
“Such exaggeration is not intended to convey factual assertions about any real individual. It is designed to entertain, provoke thought, and critique — and cannot, by itself, constitute defamation,” the statement added.
Wankhede’s ‘Unblemished Record’ Disputed
Red Chillies also disputed Wankhede’s assertion of having an “unblemished record,” pointing to a CBI FIR filed against him in May 2023 on allegations of extortion and corruption.
“The existence of the FIR and the necessity for interim protection undermine the plaintiff’s claim of an unblemished reputation,” it said.
The production house noted that even before the series’ release, Wankhede was already a subject of public scrutiny and commentary, further weakening his defamation claim.
Creative Freedom and Constitutional Protection
According to Red Chillies, the allegedly offending content appears in a brief clip lasting 1 minute and 48 seconds, depicting a plainclothes officer as an overzealous character — part of a broader satirical portrayal.
The company argued that the show’s content constitutes artistic speech protected under Article 19(1)(a), and that any restriction must meet the narrow conditions of Article 19(2).
“Granting an injunction in such circumstances would set a dangerous precedent and have a chilling effect on artistic and creative freedom,” the production house warned.
It also reminded the court that Wankhede, as a public official, should not be “overly thin-skinned” to criticism or parody.
Series Themes and Disclaimer
Red Chillies maintained that The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is a fictional series exploring contemporary issues in the film industry such as nepotism, paparazzi culture, adultery, and the struggles of newcomers, all through a satirical lens.
The company noted that the show carries an explicit disclaimer stating that all characters and events are fictitious and satirical.
“The entire series is a work of fiction and constitutes satire — a protected form of expression. No injunction ought to be granted as the defendants have a strong prima facie defense,” it said.
Case Background
In the previous hearing, the Delhi High Court issued notices to Netflix, Red Chillies Entertainment, and others based on Wankhede’s plea seeking a permanent injunction and ₹2 crore in damages for alleged defamation.
The next hearing will determine whether the court finds merit in Wankhede’s argument that the show tarnishes his reputation or upholds the production house’s defense of creative freedom and satire.