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Former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) zonal director Sameer Wankhede has once again made headlines following the release of Aryan Khan’s directorial debut show, ‘The Ba*ds of Bollywood’**, which allegedly included a scene indirectly targeting him. In response, Wankhede has reportedly filed a defamation lawsuit against the makers in the Delhi High Court, claiming the scene deliberately seeks to malign his reputation and undermine anti-drug agencies.
Sameer Wankhede is a former NCB officer known for leading high-profile drug-related investigations in India. He first rose to prominence when he arrested Aryan Khan, Shah Rukh Khan’s son, in a widely publicized drug case. Aryan spent 22 days in jail before being granted bail and was later cleared of all charges. Following these events, Wankhede was transferred to the Revenue Department.
Wankhede’s wife, Kranti Redkar, a Marathi actress, recently made headlines for sharing a social media post defending her husband. She posted a video of Wankhede delivering a speech on drug issues in India, captioning it: "Drug problem is deep; it's not something to be made fun of or laughed at. Hope people realise the seriousness of this problem before it's too late. Keep up the good work @swankhede.irs, your contribution to society is profound. And we are all very proud of you."
She further added: "You could spend weekends having fun, going for vacations, but you choose to conduct antidrugs awareness lectures and programs. Talking to the youth, shaping their young minds. We all stand by you and your movement. #nashamuktbharatcampaign." Her post was interpreted as an indirect response to the scene in Aryan Khan’s show that referenced Wankhede.
‘The Ba*ds of Bollywood**’ is Aryan Khan’s directorial debut, produced by Gauri Khan and Netflix. The show stars Bobby Deol, Lakshya Lalwani, Raghav Juyal, Sahher Bambba, Manoj Pahwa, Rajat Bedi, Mona Singh, Anya Singh, and others, and premiered on September 18, 2025. The viral scene allegedly referencing Wankhede prompted him to move the Delhi High Court seeking a permanent injunction, stating that the show was deliberately damaging his reputation and disrespecting anti-drug agencies.
While serving as NCB zonal director, Wankhede arrested Aryan Khan in a high-profile drug investigation. After Aryan’s 22-day imprisonment, he was granted bail and later cleared of all charges. This incident had brought intense media scrutiny on both Wankhede and the NCB.
The defamation lawsuit highlights the ongoing tension between Wankhede and Aryan Khan, this time through the lens of the streaming world. Kranti Redkar’s post publicly emphasized Wankhede’s commitment to anti-drug awareness, while the court proceedings now focus on whether the show unfairly maligned him and anti-drug agencies.
The controversy surrounding Sameer Wankhede and Aryan Khan connects past legal battles with present media portrayals. Wankhede’s legal action, Kranti Redkar’s defense, and the show’s viral content together underline the intersection of Bollywood, law enforcement, and public perception, highlighting how past events continue to shape current debates in India’s entertainment and legal landscape.
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