Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede has moved the Delhi High Court with a ₹2 crore defamation lawsuit against Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix, over what he alleges is a defamatory portrayal in the recently released Netflix series The Bads of Bollywood. The show, directed by Aryan Khan and produced under Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan’s production banner, has reignited memories of the controversial 2021 Cordelia cruise drug case involving Aryan Khan himself.
Wankhede’s Legal Claims
The case is scheduled for hearing before the Delhi High Court on Friday. According to Wankhede’s petition, the portrayal of enforcement officials in the series is “false, malicious and defamatory,” allegedly designed to tarnish his professional reputation. He has also demanded that any damages awarded be donated to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for patient care.
The petition argues that the show undermines public trust in anti-drug enforcement and was executed with the intention of damaging his image. One of the most contentious objections relates to a sequence where a character makes an obscene gesture after uttering “Satyamev Jayate,” India’s national slogan. Wankhede claims this scene violates the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, making it punishable under law.
Background: The 2021 Aryan Khan Case
This lawsuit is deeply tied to the infamous 2021 Cordelia cruise raid. Wankhede, then heading the NCB’s Mumbai zone, led the raid in which Aryan Khan was arrested along with others under the NDPS Act. Aryan Khan spent 25 days in jail, but by May 2022, all charges against him were dropped due to lack of sufficient evidence. The NCB itself acknowledged that there was no proof strong enough to prosecute him.
The case brought intense scrutiny to Wankhede’s methods, with allegations surfacing that he had demanded crores in bribes for Aryan’s release. While Wankhede dismissed these claims as politically motivated, the controversy led to his transfer out of Mumbai. Later, in 2023, the CBI registered a corruption case against him over a purported ₹25 crore bribe demand. The Bombay High Court admitted his plea to quash the FIR, granting him interim relief while the investigation continues.
Netflix Series and Its Reception
The Bads of Bollywood, which premiered on September 18, 2025, marks Aryan Khan’s directorial debut. Starring Bobby Deol, Lakshya, and Sahher Bambba, the series offers a satirical look at Bollywood’s competitive world, featuring cameos by stars including Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Ranveer Singh. Critics have praised Aryan’s storytelling, though the show has stirred legal and cultural debate.
Broader Implications
This defamation case has sparked conversations about the balance between creative freedom and responsible portrayal of real-life officials. Wankhede argues that negative depictions of agencies could erode public trust in law enforcement. The Delhi High Court’s decision could set a significant precedent for how streaming platforms portray ongoing or recent controversies.
As the proceedings begin, the outcome will be closely watched not just by the entertainment industry, but also by law enforcement bodies and legal experts tracking the evolving boundaries between satire, storytelling, and defamation law.