Who is Sameer Wankhede? All about his link to Aryan Khan and legal action against ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood’

Sameer Wankhede, a former Mumbai zonal director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and an IRS officer, is once again in the news. Known for leading high-profile drug cases, Wankhede is also married to actress Kranti Redkar. But what keeps him in the spotlight now is his long-running connection with Shah Rukh Khan's son, Aryan Khan. In 2021, Aryan was arrested in a major drug case led by Wankhede. The case quickly became one of the most talked-about controversies in the country. Aryan spent time in custody, before being granted bail, and eventually all charges against him were dropped. A different NCB team later admitted that the evidence in the case was weak.

Fast forward to today, Wankhede has filed a lawsuit against Aryan Khan's directorial debut, The Ba**ds of Bollywood*, streaming on Netflix. Produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan's banner, the show has drawn Wankhede's anger for allegedly portraying him unfairly. He claims the series defames him, misrepresents his role as an officer, and damages his reputation.

One scene in particular upset him, where a character makes an obscene gesture right after saying 'Satyamev Jayate.' Wankhede argues that this not only insults a national symbol but also hurts public sentiment, which he says is against the law.

In his petition to the Delhi High Court, Wankhede has asked for the series to be restrained from streaming and distribution. He also wants a declaration that the show is defamatory. Interestingly, he has sought 2 crore in damages, but not for himself, he has proposed that the amount should be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital.

As for the show itself, The Ba**ds of Bollywood* is Aryan Khan's first outing as a director. Set in the world of cinema, it follows the journey of ambitious newcomers trying to find their place in Bollywood, with appearances from some familiar faces.