‘Defence of Satire Not Absolute’, Sameer Wankhede Tells Delhi HC in Defamation Suit Against Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment

New Delhi: IRS officer Sameer Wankhede told the Delhi High Court on Monday, November 10, 2025, that the defence of satire is not absolute, arguing that Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment had unfairly targeted him—a public servant—through its Netflix series ‘Bads of Bollywood’*.

Wankhede, known for his role as the Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) during the 2021 drug case involving Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan—who was later cleared of all charges—has filed a defamation suit seeking the removal of scenes that he claims ridicule and malign him. The matter was heard by Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav.

Wankhede’s counsel, Senior Advocate J. Sai Deepak, argued that the “big producer giant” had “come after a public servant.” He stated that his client had an exemplary track record but was being mocked due to his past involvement in the Aryan Khan case. He further contended that the show’s makers acted out of malice and vendetta, asserting that the content was “vendetta passing off as fiction.” Wankhede’s plea claims that the character in the Netflix series closely resembles him and that the scenes “target and ridicule” him. The former NCB zonal head also asserted that the negative portrayal has harmed his reputation as well as public confidence in anti-drug enforcement agencies.

Senior Advocate J. Sai Deepak also argued that the representation in the episode suggests Wankhede is “driven by hunger for publicity” and that the former officer and his family have been “subjected to ridicule and defamation” as a direct result of the show’s portrayal. Wankhede’s plea specifically refers to a scene where a character modelled after him storms a Bollywood party, utters the national motto “Satyamev Jayate,” and then makes an obscene gesture—allegedly violating the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

He further argued that the producers were adopting a “sly approach” by hiding behind a disclaimer, adding, “A disclaimer has lost its value… the proof of the pudding is how people consume it.” He maintained that removing the offending scenes would not affect the overall storyline, emphasizing that the content was not essential to the series.

In his suit, Wankhede is seeking ₹2 crore as compensation from Red Chillies Entertainment (owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan) and Netflix, and has requested the immediate removal of the allegedly defamatory scenes. He has also asked that the damages be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for cancer patients.

During the proceedings, Wankhede’s counsel presented scenes from the web series in the courtroom to highlight the similarities between Wankhede and the character. While reviewing the scenes, the Court observed, “I don’t think they are acknowledging that this character is Sameer Wankhede.” In response, Wankhede’s counsel maintained that there was enough evidence linking the character through innuendo and third-party publications.

Red Chillies Entertainment, in its written reply, argued that the show constitutes satire and parody, protected under the constitutional right to freedom of expression, and therefore cannot be deemed defamatory. The production house further contended that Wankhede’s image had already been the subject of public criticism and negative attention, referencing the ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case against him for alleged criminal conspiracy and extortion.

The Court subsequently posed a query to Red Chillies regarding the limits of artistic freedom, asking, “What is the procedure followed and what happens when, in this case, the problem is that you are depicting me? So you either frankly say it was Wankhede, but under the guise of artistic freedom, you cannot depict [him].” Senior Advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, appearing for Red Chillies Entertainment, informed the Court that he would respond to the query in detail.

The Delhi High Court had previously issued summons to Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, Google, X Corp (formerly Twitter), and Meta, directing them to respond to the defamation suit. The Court has listed the matter for the next hearing on November 17.

Case Title: Sameer Dnyandev Wankhede vs. Red Chillies Entertainments Pvt. Ltd. & Ors. (Case No.: CS(OS)-698/2025)