The Delhi High Court has stirred up a storm by issuing notices to Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan, his production company Red Chillies Entertainment, and streaming giant Netflix in a high-profile defamation lawsuit filed by Indian Revenue Service (IRS) officer Sameer Wankhede. The case centers on the controversial web series "The Ba*ds of Bollywood", which Wankhede claims maliciously tarnishes his reputation and undermines public trust in anti-drug enforcement agencies.

Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav, presiding over the case, issued summons to a slew of defendants, including Gauri Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment, Netflix, X Corp (formerly Twitter), Google LLC, Meta Platforms, RPG Lifestyle Media, and unidentified parties (John Doe). The court has directed all defendants to submit their responses within seven days, with the next hearing scheduled for October 30, 2025.

Wankhede’s lawsuit accuses the series of portraying him in a “misleading and negative” light, alleging it was deliberately crafted to damage his reputation. The timing of the series is particularly contentious, as it coincides with an ongoing legal battle involving Wankhede and Shahrukh Khan’s son, Aryan Khan, which is currently under review in the Bombay High Court and the NDPS Special Court in Mumbai. Wankhede argues that the series’ narrative erodes public confidence in law enforcement, especially in the context of his role in anti-drug operations.

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In addition to seeking Rs 2 crore in damages, which Wankhede has requested be donated to the Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for cancer patients, the officer is pushing for the removal of the allegedly defamatory content from multiple online platforms. While the court has not yet issued an interim injunction, it has asked the defendants to respond to Wankhede’s application for taking down the contentious material.

The lawsuit highlights a broader clash between Bollywood’s creative liberties and real-world consequences, raising questions about the portrayal of public figures in media. Wankhede’s plea contends that the series not only misrepresents his professional conduct but also prejudices his ongoing legal matters, potentially influencing public perception in a case that remains sub-judice.

As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes are on Shahrukh Khan, Red Chillies Entertainment, and Netflix, with the outcome likely to set a precedent for how defamatory content is handled in the digital age. Will the court side with Wankhede’s call for justice, or will creative freedom prevail? Stay tuned for the next chapter in this gripping Bollywood controversy.

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