The Delhi High Court on Wednesday, October 8, issued summons in a defamation suit filed by IRS officer Sameer Wankhede against Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, and others over his alleged defamatory portrayal in the new Netflix series “Ba***ds of Bollywood” directed by Aryan Khan.
Senior advocate Sandeep Sethi, appearing for Wankhede, referred to the amended plaint and told the court, "In reference to the series, there are posts trolling me, my wife, and my sister. Ex facie defamatory. It’s shocking. They (defendants) are surely not defending those posts."
The court, however, orally said, "We appreciate that there is cause in your favour to approach this court, but there is a process to be followed". The court thereafter issued a summons.
Senior advocate Rajiv Nayar, representing Netflix, opposed the suit, while senior advocate Shyel Trehan appeared for Red Chillies Entertainment.
Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav also issued notice on Wankhede’s application for interim relief and listed the matter for further hearing on October 30.
Wankhede has sought Rs 2 crore in damages, stating that the amount will be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for the treatment of cancer patients. The suit also seeks a permanent and mandatory injunction against the production house and other defendants over the allegedly "false, malicious, and defamatory" video content in the series.
According to the plaintiff, the series was “deliberately conceptualised and executed” to malign Wankhede’s reputation in a “colourable and prejudicial manner,” particularly while the case involving him and Aryan Khan remains pending before the Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court.
The suit further alleges that the series depicts a character making an “obscene gesture,” specifically “showing a middle finger” after reciting the slogan “Satyamev Jayate.” Wankhede’s plea claims that this act violates the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, which carries penal consequences.
The defendants named in the suit include Red Chillies Entertainment Private Limited, Netflix, X Corp (formerly Twitter), Google LLC, Meta Platforms, RPG Lifestyle Media Private Limited, and John Doe.
