Wankhede alleges that the recently released seriesThe Bastards of Bollywood, directed by Aryan Khan, portrays a character inspired by him, tarnishing his reputation as a narcotics investigator.
During the hearing, Justice Purushendra Kumar Kaurav questioned Wankhede's counsel, Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, on why the case was filed in Delhi. Sethi argued that the series, available nationwide including in Delhi, caused defamation across multiple cities. However, the court emphasized the need for clearer jurisdiction under Section 19 of the CPC, stating, "Your petition is not maintainable in Delhi unless you specify maximum damage occurred here." The judge granted time for amendments, scheduling the next hearing accordingly.
Wankhede, former Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), seeks Rs.2 crore in compensation, pledging to donate it to cancer patients at Tata Memorial Hospital. The controversy stems from the series' first episode, depicting a Bollywood success party where an officer arrests a drug-consuming youth a scene social media users linked to Wankhede's high-profile 2021 arrest of Aryan Khan in a cruise drug bust.
The Bastards of Bollywood, Aryan Khan's directorial debut, premiered on Netflix on September 18, 2025, exploring the dark underbelly of the film industry. Critics and viewers have drawn parallels between the fictional officer and Wankhede, fueling online debates on artistic freedom versus personal defamation.
This case highlights ongoing tensions between Bollywood and law enforcement, especially post the 2020 Sushant Singh Rajput investigation. Legal experts suggest Wankhede must prove direct malice and substantial harm for the suit to proceed. Shah Rukh Khan and Netflix have yet to respond publicly.
As digital content blurs lines between fiction and reality, this lawsuit could set precedents for celebrity defamation in India. Stay tuned for updates on the amended petition and court proceedings.
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