Red Chillies calls Sameer Wankhede’s Netflix defamation suit ‘baseless’, says series is satire
Actor Shah Rukh Khan’s production house Red Chillies Entertainment has dismissed as “wholly misconceived and devoid of merit” the defamation suit filed by IRS officer Sameer Wankhede over the Netflix series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*.
In a written response to the Delhi High Court, Red Chillies said the show, directed by SRK's son Aryan Khan, is a “work of situational satire” that does not name or depict Wankhede and contains no defamatory material.
“All characters in the series are deliberately portrayed with exaggerated traits and mannerisms to elicit humor and highlight societal or situational absurdities,” the company stated.
Arguing that satire is a protected form of expression under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, the production house said such content relies on caricature and hyperbole to provoke thought and critique society.
“Such exaggeration cannot, by itself, constitute defamation,” it added.
Red Chillies also contested Wankhede’s claim of an “unblemished record,” citing a CBI FIR filed in May 2023 over alleged extortion and corruption.
The company said this undermined his assertion of spotless reputation.
Even before the release of the series, Wankhede had already faced public scrutiny and ridicule, the statement noted, adding that the allegedly offensive clip is only 1 minute and 48 seconds long, showing a plainclothes officer portrayed as “overzealous.”
The company emphasized that the series includes a clear disclaimer stating that all characters and events are fictitious and satirical.
Red Chillies argued that granting an injunction would set a dangerous precedent, chilling artistic and creative freedom.
“Democratic discourse thrives upon satire, caricature, and creative license,” the statement said.
The Delhi High Court had earlier issued notices to Netflix, Red Chillies Entertainment, and others in response to Wankhede’s plea seeking a permanent injunction and ₹2 crore in damages for alleged defamation.
The matter is expected to come up for further hearing in the coming days.
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