Delhi High Court Declines Jurisdiction in Sameer Wankhede's Defamation Case Against Netflix Series
In a significant legal development on Thursday, the Delhi High Court refused to entertain the defamation case filed by IRS officer Sameer Wankhede against the controversial web series 'The Ba***ds of Bollywood'. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav ruled that the court lacked territorial jurisdiction in this matter, advising Wankhede to approach an appropriate court that possesses the necessary jurisdiction to hear his complaint.
Wankhede Remains Determined Despite Jurisdictional Setback
Speaking exclusively to Hindustan Times, Sameer Wankhede clarified that his case has not been dismissed by the court, countering any misleading reports suggesting otherwise. "It has not been dismissed. I have been asked to approach a proper forum. Let the order be uploaded, then I will take a call on when to do it. This has not demotivated me at all, it's just an order to approach the appropriate court. I will do the needful and keep fighting for justice", the determined IRS officer stated.
Allegations of Personal Vendetta and Defamation
Wankhede's legal complaint alleges that the web series, written and directed by Aryan Khan, was intentionally crafted to damage his professional reputation and settle old scores stemming from Aryan Khan's 2021 narcotics case arrest. The IRS officer has accused Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd and Netflix of defamation, seeking substantial damages of Rs. 2 crore. Wankhede has vowed to donate the entire compensation amount to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital if awarded.
Serious Allegations of National Honor Violation
The petition filed by Sameer Wankhede raises serious concerns about a particular scene in the series where a character makes an obscene gesture after uttering the national motto 'Satyamev Jayate'. Wankhede argues that this act constitutes a serious breach of the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971, adding another layer of gravity to his legal complaint against the production.
About the Controversial Web Series
'The Ba***ds of Bollywood' premiered on Netflix on September 18, 2025, featuring seven episodes produced by Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Entertainment. The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast including:
- Lakshya as Aasmaan Singh
- Sahher Bambba as Karishma Talwar
- Bobby Deol as Ajay Talwar
- Raghav Juyal as Parvaiz
- Anya Singh as Sanya
The supporting cast features veteran actors Manoj Pahwa, Mona Singh, Vijayant Kohli, Manish Chaudhari, and Rajat Bedi. The series also includes cameo appearances by prominent industry figures including Karan Johar, Aamir Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and S.S. Rajamouli.
The storyline follows Aasmaan Singh, a Delhi-based individual whose first film becomes an unexpected success, leading him to co-star with Karishma Talwar, the daughter of influential industry figure Ajay Talwar. The series has generated significant buzz and controversy since its release, particularly due to its portrayal of characters that some viewers believe resemble real-life personalities.
This legal development marks another chapter in the ongoing controversy surrounding the web series, highlighting the complex intersection of entertainment, personal reputation, and legal jurisdiction in India's digital content landscape.
