The recently released Netflix series “Bastards of Bollywood” is attracting a lot of attention, but it has also landed in legal trouble. Sameer Wankhede, a former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer, has filed a defamation suit against the series, its producers including Red Chillies Entertainment, and Aryan Khan, the actor and director of the show. Wankhede claims that the series portrays a character resembling him in a false and defamatory manner, using obscene gestures and offensive language, which damages his reputation.
Wankhede has approached the Delhi High Court, seeking ₹2 crore in damages, which he has stated he will donate to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital. He has also requested a permanent injunction to prevent the series from being streamed further. According to media reports, the suit is filed under provisions of the Information Technology Act and other relevant laws, highlighting the legal implications of depicting real-life figures in fictional works.
The controversy is linked to the 2021 Aryan Khan drug case, which forms the backdrop of the Netflix series. In October 2021, Aryan Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was arrested by the NCB during a raid on a cruise ship off Mumbai’s coast. The raid was part of an investigation into drug possession and alleged consumption on the cruise. Aryan Khan faced charges of involvement in the use and distribution of narcotics. He spent 22 days in custody before being granted bail by the Bombay High Court. The case drew massive media attention, not just because of his celebrity status, but also due to the involvement of law enforcement officials, including Wankhede. In 2022, after a detailed investigation, the NCB concluded that there was insufficient evidence to charge Aryan Khan, effectively giving him a clean chit.
While the Netflix series presents a fictionalized take on events inspired by this case, Wankhede maintains that certain scenes directly reflect his personality and professional conduct, which he considers defamatory. It is important to note that Wankhede’s grievance is about his portrayal in the series, not the investigation itself.
The case raises broader questions about the responsibility of streaming platforms and filmmakers in depicting real people, especially in high-profile legal cases. Public reactions have been mixed, with some viewers finding the series satirical and others siding with Wankhede’s concerns about reputation.
In short, Sameer Wankhede’s lawsuit against ‘Bastards of Bollywood’ shines a spotlight on the delicate intersection of real-life events, celebrity culture, and creative storytelling, while reminding audiences and creators alike about the legal and ethical responsibilities of dramatizing true events.
