Sameer Wankhede's Defamation Suit Against Netflix And SRK's Red Chillies, Says 'Do I Deserve This?'

Sameer Wankhede has recently been making headlines for his defamation suit against Netflix series, The Ba***ds of Bollywood, and Shah Rukh Khan's production company, Red Chillies Entertainment. Wankhede filed the suit on September 25. On Monday, the Delhi High Court resumed hearing the arguments for the case. If you haven't caught up with the updates on the case yet, don't worry, as we have done the work for you. 

Details about Sameer Wankhede's ongoing defamation case

Sameer Wankhede, who is a former Narcotics Bureau (NCB) officer, alleged that the portrayal of a character in the hit Netflix series, The Ba****ds of Bollywood, produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, has a character that is clearly inspired by him. This character has apparently done severe damage to his reputation, especially because it portrays his connection with the 2021 Cordelia Cruise investigation, which involved Shah Rukh's son, Aryan Khan. It is important to note that  Aryan is also the creator and director of The Ba***ds of Bollywood. 

Sameer Wankhede expressed his frustration at Aryan Khan's show by asking the court during the defamation cases hearing, "Do I deserve this trial in public opinion?" The IRS officer has also spoken about how, after the show's release, he has faced ridicule and mockery on social media. During the Delhi High Court hearing, Wankhede’s lawyer, J. Sai Deepak, cited a tweet review by self-proclaimed critic, Kamal R. Khan, to demonstrate just the sheer amount of threats and mockery that has been directed at his client. He claimed:

"The show has convinced people that I have no integrity. Chor, and what else? Red Chillies and Netflix are in cahoots with each other. They are not saying we are just an intermediary, so a certain degree of liability is on Netflix as well."

What is Red Chillies Entertainment's argument for this defamation case?

Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment has made its stance regarding the defamation case clear to the court. Senior advocate Kaul, who is representing the production company, said during the hearing that The Ba***ds of Bollywood is purely a work of satire. He claimed:

“I am entitled to do this. You are putting a gun to my head on the plaint. Of course, I can say that I am inspired by characters....Every producer, paparazzi can appear tomorrow, (saying) my face resembles.”

Senior advocate Kaul even went so far as to cite the example of renowned cartoonist, RK Lakshman. He argued that even Lakshman could ridicule the Prime Minister through his satire. The Delhi High Court rejected this example, stating that there is no bias in RK Lakshman's work, unlike the Netflix show mentioned in the defamation suit.

The scene in question that led to Sameer Wankhede’s defamation suit

The scene in question that led to all the drama in the Delhi High Court appears in the first episode of Aryan Khan's directorial debut, The Ba***ds of Bollywood. In the scene, which has now gone viral on social media, an officer appears who claims to be part of NCG (an alleged jibe at NCB). This officer, after arriving in a government jeep, raids the Bollywood party, ultimately arresting an actor on charges of substance abuse. The officer who is the lookalike of Sameer Wankhede can be seen as saying:

"Satyamev Jayate...Drugs have ruined this country...Do you know who I am? I am part of war against drugs. I am part of fall against drugs. I am part of NCG."

What are your thoughts on Sameer Wankhede's defamation suit against Netflix and SRK's production company? Let us know.

Also read: Delhi HC Asks Priya Kapur To Respond To Karisma Kapoor's Kids' Plea On Sunjay's Rs. 30,000 Cr Will

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