IRS officer Sameer Wankhede has accused Netflix and Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment of launching a “cinematic revenge attack” against him through their upcoming series “Bastards of Bollywood.” He told the Delhi High Court that the show is nothing but a personal vendetta for the 2021 arrest of Aryan Khan in the high-profile drugs-on-cruise case.
The matter was heard by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav on Thursday, who has now listed it for further hearing on November 10.
Background
Wankhede, then the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer, led the controversial raid that led to the detention of Aryan Khan. The case had gripped national attention, with debates raging over fairness and celebrity privilege. A later probe by the NCB’s Special Investigation Team cleared Aryan Khan, saying there wasn’t enough evidence.
Now, Wankhede alleges that the new Netflix series has been produced “to humiliate and destroy” his professional standing. In his defamation suit, he has sought ₹2 crore in damages-pledging that any compensation would be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital.
The defendants named include Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, X (formerly Twitter), Google, Meta, RPG Lifestyle Media, and others.
Courtroom Exchanges and Observations
During the proceedings, Wankhede’s counsel argued that the show’s creators had disguised “defamation as satire,” turning serious law enforcement into entertainment mockery.
“The defamatory content,” Wankhede said in his written statement, “has been crafted to settle personal scores and avenge Aryan Khan’s arrest. It’s not art—it’s an orchestrated hit job.”
The reply fil ed by Red Chillies, on the other hand, stated that the series is a “satirical work” that does not name or target anyone specifically. The production house also argued that Wankhede was already a public figure, often mocked and discussed online long before the series was conceptualised.
Responding sharply, Wankhede remarked that this argument itself 'exposes malice', as it implies the makers felt free to ridicule him further for commercial gain. “It’s like adding fuel to the fire,” he told the court.
He further said,
"Calling a deliberate smear campaign satire is an insult to the uniform. Public service is not a stage performance-it deserves respect, not ridicule"
Decision
After hearing both sides briefly, Justice Kaurav directed all parties to submit their written arguments and adjourned the matter to November 10. The case continues to draw wide attention, especially as it tests the thin line between creative freedom and defamation in India’s growing OTT space.
Case Title: Sameer Dnyandev Wankhede v. Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt. Ltd. & Ors
Date of Hearing: October 30, 2025
