The Delhi High Court on Monday heard arguments in the defamation suit filed by IRS officer Sameer Wankhede against Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix over the web series The Bads of Bollywood*, in which he alleges that his reputation has been maligned under the guise of satire.
Wankhede’s counsel contended that the makers of the series were “hiding behind a disclaimer” and that the so-called defence of satire could not absolve them of liability. “Disclaimer is of no consequence. The proof of pudding is how people consume it,” the advocate told the court, arguing that the series had taken “potshots” at Wankhede in his professional capacity.
Calling the portrayal a product of “malice and vendetta,” the counsel added, “This is vendetta passing off as fiction.”
Wankhede has sought damages of ₹2 crore, which he has said will be donated to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for cancer patients. He has also requested interim relief for removal of the allegedly defamatory content from multiple online platforms.
The plea names Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt. Ltd., Netflix, X Corp (formerly Twitter), Google LLC, Meta Platforms, RPSG Lifestyle Media Pvt. Ltd., and certain unidentified persons (“John Doe”) as defendants.
Earlier, on October 8, Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav had issued notices and summons to all respondents, directing them to file their replies within seven days. The court had also granted additional time for Wankhede, Red Chillies, and Netflix to submit their written arguments.
During Monday’s hearing, the court raised questions regarding the extent of artistic freedom and its limits when reputations of public officials are at stake. Arguments on behalf of Red Chillies are scheduled to begin on November 17.
In his suit, Wankhede alleged that the series presents a “misleading and negative portrayal” of anti-drug enforcement agencies, thereby eroding public confidence in law enforcement. He claimed the show was deliberately conceptualised to malign him, especially when proceedings related to the Aryan Khan drug case — in which he was the investigating officer — remain sub judice before the Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court in Mumbai.
