The legal uncertainty surrounding Aryan Khan’s Netflix show The The Ba***ds of Bollywood has eased after the Delhi High Court declined to hear a defamation suit filed by former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede. The court ruled that it does not have the territorial jurisdiction to examine the case and returned the lawsuit to be filed before the appropriate court. This development means there is no immediate legal restriction on the streaming of The Ba**ds of Bollywood, allowing the show to continue uninterrupted for now.
What Was the Wankhede Suit About?
Sameer Wankhede had filed a defamation case claiming that a scene in the Netflix show — which marks Aryan Khan’s directorial debut — contained a character that closely resembled him and portrayed him in a negative light. He alleged this depiction could harm his reputation and dignity.
In his complaint, he sought:
- ₹2 crore in damages, with the amount to be donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for cancer patients
- A court order to take down the allegedly defamatory content and an injunction against its further dissemination
Why Delhi High Court Returned Wankhede Case to Mumbai Court
The main reason the Delhi High Court sent the case back was jurisdictional meaning the court found that it was not the correct legal forum for this dispute. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav held that the lawsuit should be filed where it is more properly maintainable, such as in Mumbai, where both Wankhede and Red Chillies Entertainment — the production house linked to Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan — are based.
The judge clarified that the suit was not dismissed entirely, but merely returned to Wankhede to be presented before a competent court.
#BREAKING Delhi High Court rejects IRS Officer Sameer Wankhede’s suit against his allegedly defamatory portrayal in Netflix series “Ba***ds of Bollywood”.
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) January 29, 2026
Court returns the plaint to be placed before the court of competent jurisdiction. pic.twitter.com/xw6vsXlhyu
How Netflix and Red Chillies Defended The Ba***ds of Bollywood
The legal teams for Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment argued:
- The show is a satirical work, using dark humour and not a literal depiction of any real person that could be defamatory
- The content is fiction, protected under freedom of speech and expression
- The court in Delhi is not the right place to entertain the suit due to lack of territorial jurisdiction
Their lawyers also pointed out that the series narrative set in the glamorous world of Bollywood does not specifically name or directly portray Wankhede in a defamatory manner.
What This Means for The Ba***ds of Bollywood Streaming
With the jurisdiction objection upheld, Aryan Khan’s Netflix show continues to be available on the platform without interruption from this specific legal claim. This effectively means there is no immediate removal order or ban on the series because of Wankhede’s lawsuit. For the producers and fans, this outcome offers a degree of legal safety at least until the case is pursued in a competent court.
The Ba***ds of Bollywood: Story, Controversy, and Public Reaction
The Ba***ds of Bollywood is a Netflix web series produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and marks Aryan Khan’s first major directorial project. It explores elements of celebrity culture, the film industry, and dramatized events related to Bollywood. The controversy stems from a brief scene some viewers interpreted as resembling Wankhede’s public image, especially due to his role in the widely reported 2021 Mumbai cruise drugs case involving Aryan Khan. Wankhede was a key official in that case but was later exonerated of wrongdoing, and has since been at the centre of public debate.
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What Happens Next in Sameer Wankhede Case?
Wankhede can choose to refile his lawsuit in a court with proper jurisdiction, likely in Mumbai. If he does, the case will proceed on:
- Whether the portrayal in the show is actionable under defamation law
- Whether free speech protections for creative works apply
- If any damages can be awarded for reputational harm
Legal experts suggest that matters involving entertainment content and defamation often hinge on context, intent, and audience perception, making such cases complex and fact specific.
