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Sameer Wankhede's defamation attack on Aryan Khan's 'Bads of Bollywood': Delhi High Court seeks Rs 2 crore damages
Mumbai, September 25, 2025: The Netflix web series 'Bads of Bollywood' directed by Aryan Khan, based on controversial incidents in Bollywood, has found itself in legal trouble even before its release. Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer and IRS officer Sameer Wankhede has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court alleging that his image has been tarnished due to the series. Wankhede has filed a defamation suit against Netflix, Red Chillies Entertainment Private Limited and Shah Rukh Khan and has demanded a permanent ban on the series. Apart from this, he has also sought a compensation of Rs 2 crore for defamation. The controversy is likely to rekindle the 2021 Cordelia Cruise drug case, in which the clash between Aryan Khan and Sameer Wankhede shook Bollywood.
Background to the case: The controversial history of the Cordelia Cruise case
The drug party case that took place on the Cordelia Cruise near the Mumbai port in October 2021 had shaken the entire country. The NCB had carried out this operation, in which Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan and 8 others were arrested. Sameer Wankhede was the director of the Mumbai zone at that time and was in charge of the case. Aryan Khan was kept in custody for 25 days, but was later granted bail by the Bombay High Court. Wankhede was also charged with serious charges in this case - caste discrimination, false complaint and forcible arrest. Wankhede was suspended and cases were registered against him. However, Wankhede has always said that the action was taken within the framework of the law and that he is fighting against drugs.
Now, Aryan Khan's first web series 'Bads of Bollywood' is being claimed to be based on the case. The series is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and will be released on Netflix. The series will depict controversial figures and incidents in Bollywood, which is said to include a reference to the Cordelia case. According to Wankhede's petition, he has been mocked in a particular scene in the series. In this scene, an officer (who is shown as Wankhede) has been depicted in a wrong manner, which has tarnished his image. maharashtratimes.com
Main allegations in the petition: 'False and inaccurate portrayal'
Wankhede's petition states that the series 'Bads of Bollywood' falsely and distortedly portrays incidents from his life. In particular, his role in the Cordelia case has been misrepresented, making him look like a corrupt and biased officer. This has put his professional image, family honour and social standing at risk. Wankhede has said that the series violates the Information Technology Act (IT Act) and should not be allowed to be aired on public platforms. divyamarathi.bhaskar.com
Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment have been made parties in the petition. Shahrukh Khan has been held liable as the producer and is also accused of defamation. Wankhede's lawyers said, "This series is not just fictional but is based on real events. It contains scenes identifying Wankhede without mentioning his name, which are false and defamatory." In addition, a compensation of Rs 2 crore has been sought, which is for mental anguish, loss of reputation and commercial loss.marathi.ndtv.com
The Delhi High Court has taken up the matter urgently and the judge has issued a notice to Netflix. Although the release date of the series has not been announced, this dispute could put it in trouble. Sources said that the court has given it two weeks to respond.
Reactions from Bollywood and the legal world
This dispute has once again reignited the old conflict between Shah Rukh Khan and Sameer Wankhede. After the 2021 case, a legal battle had started between the two. Wankhede had filed a complaint against Shah Rukh Khan at that time, alleging intimidation and defamation. Now, this dispute has flared up again due to Aryan Khan's series. Although some Bollywood actors have remained silent on the matter, discussions have started on social media. Some have supported Wankhede's petition and said that "legal action is necessary". On the other hand, some have seen the series as an issue of artistic freedom. news18marathi.com
Netflix has not yet given an official response, but industry sources said that the company is taking legal advice. There has also been no statement from Red Chillies Entertainment. Since this is Aryan Khan's first major responsibility, the controversy could affect his career. The series 'Bads of Bollywood' is based on the stories of 'bad boys' in Bollywood, and its trailer has also gone viral. However, its release has now become uncertain.
Mumbai, September 25, 2025: The Netflix web series 'Bads of Bollywood' directed by Aryan Khan, based on controversial incidents in Bollywood, has found itself in legal trouble even before its release. Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer and IRS officer Sameer Wankhede has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court alleging that his image has been tarnished due to the series. Wankhede has filed a defamation suit against Netflix, Red Chillies Entertainment Private Limited and Shah Rukh Khan and has demanded a permanent ban on the series. Apart from this, he has also sought a compensation of Rs 2 crore for defamation. The controversy is likely to rekindle the 2021 Cordelia Cruise drug case, in which the clash between Aryan Khan and Sameer Wankhede shook Bollywood.
Background to the case: The controversial history of the Cordelia Cruise case
The drug party case that took place on the Cordelia Cruise near the Mumbai port in October 2021 had shaken the entire country. The NCB had carried out this operation, in which Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan and 8 others were arrested. Sameer Wankhede was the director of the Mumbai zone at that time and was in charge of the case. Aryan Khan was kept in custody for 25 days, but was later granted bail by the Bombay High Court. Wankhede was also charged with serious charges in this case - caste discrimination, false complaint and forcible arrest. Wankhede was suspended and cases were registered against him. However, Wankhede has always said that the action was taken within the framework of the law and that he is fighting against drugs.
Now, Aryan Khan's first web series 'Bads of Bollywood' is being claimed to be based on the case. The series is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and will be released on Netflix. The series will depict controversial figures and incidents in Bollywood, which is said to include a reference to the Cordelia case. According to Wankhede's petition, he has been mocked in a particular scene in the series. In this scene, an officer (who is shown as Wankhede) has been depicted in a wrong manner, which has tarnished his image. maharashtratimes.com
Main allegations in the petition: 'False and inaccurate portrayal'
Wankhede's petition states that the series 'Bads of Bollywood' falsely and distortedly portrays incidents from his life. In particular, his role in the Cordelia case has been misrepresented, making him look like a corrupt and biased officer. This has put his professional image, family honour and social standing at risk. Wankhede has said that the series violates the Information Technology Act (IT Act) and should not be allowed to be aired on public platforms. divyamarathi.bhaskar.com
Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment have been made parties in the petition. Shahrukh Khan has been held liable as the producer and is also accused of defamation. Wankhede's lawyers said, "This series is not just fictional but is based on real events. It contains scenes identifying Wankhede without mentioning his name, which are false and defamatory." In addition, a compensation of Rs 2 crore has been sought, which is for mental anguish, loss of reputation and commercial loss.marathi.ndtv.com
The Delhi High Court has taken up the matter urgently and the judge has issued a notice to Netflix. Although the release date of the series has not been announced, this dispute could put it in trouble. Sources said that the court has given it two weeks to respond.
Reactions from Bollywood and the legal world
This dispute has once again reignited the old conflict between Shah Rukh Khan and Sameer Wankhede. After the 2021 case, a legal battle had started between the two. Wankhede had filed a complaint against Shah Rukh Khan at that time, alleging intimidation and defamation. Now, this dispute has flared up again due to Aryan Khan's series. Although some Bollywood actors have remained silent on the matter, discussions have started on social media. Some have supported Wankhede's petition and said that "legal action is necessary". On the other hand, some have seen the series as an issue of artistic freedom. news18marathi.com
Netflix has not yet given an official response, but industry sources said that the company is taking legal advice. There has also been no statement from Red Chillies Entertainment. Since this is Aryan Khan's first major responsibility, the controversy could affect his career. The series 'Bads of Bollywood' is based on the stories of 'bad boys' in Bollywood, and its trailer has also gone viral. However, its release has now become uncertain.
Background to the case: The controversial history of the Cordelia Cruise case
The drug party case that took place on the Cordelia Cruise near the Mumbai port in October 2021 had shaken the entire country. The NCB had carried out this operation, in which Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan and 8 others were arrested. Sameer Wankhede was the director of the Mumbai zone at that time and was in charge of the case. Aryan Khan was kept in custody for 25 days, but was later granted bail by the Bombay High Court. Wankhede was also charged with serious charges in this case - caste discrimination, false complaint and forcible arrest. Wankhede was suspended and cases were registered against him. However, Wankhede has always said that the action was taken within the framework of the law and that he is fighting against drugs.
Now, Aryan Khan's first web series 'Bads of Bollywood' is being claimed to be based on the case. The series is produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and will be released on Netflix. The series will depict controversial figures and incidents in Bollywood, which is said to include a reference to the Cordelia case. According to Wankhede's petition, he has been mocked in a particular scene in the series. In this scene, an officer (who is shown as Wankhede) has been depicted in a wrong manner, which has tarnished his image. maharashtratimes.com
Main allegations in the petition: 'False and inaccurate portrayal'
Wankhede's petition states that the series 'Bads of Bollywood' falsely and distortedly portrays incidents from his life. In particular, his role in the Cordelia case has been misrepresented, making him look like a corrupt and biased officer. This has put his professional image, family honour and social standing at risk. Wankhede has said that the series violates the Information Technology Act (IT Act) and should not be allowed to be aired on public platforms. divyamarathi.bhaskar.com
Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment have been made parties in the petition. Shahrukh Khan has been held liable as the producer and is also accused of defamation. Wankhede's lawyers said, "This series is not just fictional but is based on real events. It contains scenes identifying Wankhede without mentioning his name, which are false and defamatory." In addition, a compensation of Rs 2 crore has been sought, which is for mental anguish, loss of reputation and commercial loss.marathi.ndtv.com
The Delhi High Court has taken up the matter urgently and the judge has issued a notice to Netflix. Although the release date of the series has not been announced, this dispute could put it in trouble. Sources said that the court has given it two weeks to respond.
Reactions from Bollywood and the legal world
This dispute has once again reignited the old conflict between Shah Rukh Khan and Sameer Wankhede. After the 2021 case, a legal battle had started between the two. Wankhede had filed a complaint against Shah Rukh Khan at that time, alleging intimidation and defamation. Now, this dispute has flared up again due to Aryan Khan's series. Although some Bollywood actors have remained silent on the matter, discussions have started on social media. Some have supported Wankhede's petition and said that "legal action is necessary". On the other hand, some have seen the series as an issue of artistic freedom. news18marathi.com
Netflix has not yet given an official response, but industry sources said that the company is taking legal advice. There has also been no statement from Red Chillies Entertainment. Since this is Aryan Khan's first major responsibility, the controversy could affect his career. The series 'Bads of Bollywood' is based on the stories of 'bad boys' in Bollywood, and its trailer has also gone viral. However, its release has now become uncertain.
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