Sameer Wankhede sues Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies over lookalike scene in Aryan's 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood'

Former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede has filed a defamation case against Shah Rukh Khan, Gauri Khan, and Red Chillies Entertainment over Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, The Ba**ds of Bollywood*. In his plea to the Delhi High Court, Wankhede accused the series of portraying him in a false and damaging light. He claims that the show “deliberately maligns” his reputation and spreads a negative image of anti-drug enforcement agencies, which could undermine public trust in law enforcement institutions. The plea also includes Netflix among the respondents, highlighting the platform’s role in streaming the controversial content. Wankhede is seeking Rs 2 crore in damages, which he intends to donate to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital.

The Controversial Scene and Its Online Buzz

The episode that sparked the uproar shows an officer barging into a high-profile party, spotting someone smoking a joint. However, the officer ignores the man since he is not from Bollywood. Moments later, a Bollywood personality sipping a drink is immediately arrested. Viewers quickly drew parallels between the fictional officer and Wankhede, recalling Aryan Khan’s 2021 arrest during the cruise ship drug case investigation. The scene quickly became a talking point online, with netizens convinced that the show subtly took a dig at the former NCB officer.

History Between Aryan Khan and Wankhede

The tension between Aryan Khan and Sameer Wankhede goes back to the 2021 cruise ship incident. Aryan was arrested for allegedly possessing and consuming drugs, leading to a media frenzy. Later, the CBI accused Wankhede of attempting to extort Rs 25 crore from the Khan family for lenient treatment of Aryan, alleging that Rs 50 lakh was paid as part of the demand. Wankhede, however, denied the allegations. The legal and personal history between the two has now spilled into the entertainment arena, creating another layer of public interest around The Ba**ds of Bollywood*.

As the case moves forward, all eyes will be on the Delhi High Court for how it navigates this clash between real-life controversies and cinematic expression. Meanwhile, the series continues to generate conversations, both for its content and for the real-life drama unfolding around it.