Sameer Wankhede Claims Family Receiving Threats Abroad After Filing Defamation Case Against Red Chillies, Netflix

Former NCB zonal director Sameer Wankhede on Saturday said his family has been receiving threatening messages from Pakistan, the UAE, and Bangladesh following his defamation suit against Red Chillies Entertainment and Netflix over the Aryan Khan-directed web series The Ba**ds of Bollywood*.

Speaking to ANI, Wankhede emphasized that the case is personal and unrelated to his professional duties. “I wouldn’t like to comment on the court proceedings or the issues involved, because the matter is sub judice,” he said. He added that the case is about self-respect, personal dignity, and honour, noting that satire or parody targeting him also undermines efforts against drug abuse.

Wankhede expressed concern for his family, who are not involved in his professional work. “We have regularly informed the police about the threats my sister and my wife keep receiving. I will not accept that because of me, they are facing the brunt of it,” he said.

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday issued summons to Red Chillies Entertainment Private Limited, owned by Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan, and others in the civil defamation suit filed by Wankhede. Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav directed the defendants to file a reply within seven days, with the petitioner required to submit a rejoinder within three days thereafter.

The court has asked Wankhede to provide copies of the petition to all defendants and listed the next hearing for October 30. No immediate relief was granted, and the court instructed the parties to return in 10 days.

The defamation case was first heard by the Delhi High Court on September 26.