Delhi High Court Issues Summons to Red Chillies and Netflix in Wankhede Defamation Row

The Delhi High Court has summoned Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd and streaming platform Netflix, both linked to Shah Rukh Khan, in response to a civil defamation case filed by Indian Revenue Service officer Sameer Wankhede.

Sameer Wankhede filed the case on 8 October 2025.

Wankhede has alleged that defamatory material was deliberately produced and disseminated through the web series The Ba***ds of Bollywood, which he claims has caused serious harm to his reputation, dignity and family’s public standing.

The court’s decision to issue a summons signals its initial view that the claims merit legal consideration.

The court has set a date for the next hearing, and the matter will proceed under judicial process.

During an earlier session, the court questioned Wankhede on why he filed the case in Delhi. It then directed him to revise the complaint to clarify the jurisdictional basis.

The defendants named in the suit include:

• Red Chillies Entertainment Pvt Ltd,
• Netflix,
• X Corp (formerly Twitter),
• Google LLC,
• Meta Platforms,
• RPG Lifestyle Media Pvt Ltd, and
• Unidentified parties referred to as John Doe

Wankhede maintains that the series contains defamatory and one-sided portrayals aimed at damaging his image.

He also highlighted that the case involving himself and Aryan Khan remains pending before the Bombay High Court and a special NDPS court in Mumbai.

According to the complaint, a scene in the series features a character uttering ‘Satyamev Jayate’ followed by an obscene gesture.

Wankhede has argued that this disrespects the national motto, which is part of India’s national emblem, and constitutes an offence under the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.

He is seeking Rs 2 crore in damages, pledging the amount to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital to support cancer treatment.

The suit also calls for a permanent and mandatory injunction to restrain the production house and other parties from circulating what he describes as ‘false, malicious and defamatory’ material.

Additionally, the complaint alleges that the content violates multiple provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Indian Penal Code. It claims the series attempts to offend national sentiment through obscene and objectionable material.

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