Why did Sameer Wankhede sue Red Chillies and Netflix?

Delhi High Court summons Red Chillies and Netflix; Sameer Wankhede claims defamation.

What’s the matter?

The Delhi High Court summoned Red Chillies and Netflix on Wednesday.

This comes after IRS officer Sameer Wankhede alleged that Aryan Khan’s web series “The Ba***ds of Bollywood” had damaged his and his family’s image.

Wankhede filed a defamation petition in the court and sought ₹2 crore in compensation.

Wankhede’s Complaint

Wankhede’s lawyer, Senior Advocate Sandeep Sethi, said that after the series, trolling and objectionable posts against him, his wife, and his sister have increased on social media.

According to him, some scenes openly masturbated him and are completely defamatory.

Wankhede stated that a particular scene mocked him as if he were one of the officers involved in the case.

What the Court Said

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav issued notice on Wankhede’s application for interim relief and scheduled the next hearing for October 30.

The court stated that while there is a right to complain, proper procedures must be followed.

This clearly indicates that the court is taking the matter seriously but deems it necessary to hear arguments from both sides.

Why the Background is Sensitive

Sameer Wankhede was previously the NCB Mumbai zonal director and has led several high-profile narcotics investigations, including the cruise case involving Shah Rukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan.

Therefore, when any reference or joke appeared in the Aryan Khan-directed series, it immediately made headlines and heightened the sensitivity of those concerned.

What will happen next?

The court will now seek responses from both parties and determine whether the content is truly defamatory.

Red Chillies and Netflix will have to argue to what extent they can exercise creative freedom and to what extent it would be considered an infringement of individual rights.

The next hearing on October 30th will prove crucial.

Note

This case is a classic example of the conflict between creative freedom and individual rights in the entertainment industry.

The perspectives of both the audience and the filmmakers will be weighed in a balanced manner within the legal framework.