Shah Rukh Khan's Red Chillies Vs Sameer Wankhede: The Ba***ds Of Bollywood Production House Claims Case Lacks Delhi Jurisdiction

The

legal battle over Netflix’s satirical series The Ba***ds of Bollywood intensified on Wednesday, as Red Chillies Entertainment, owned by actor Shah Rukh Khan, opposed IRS officer Sameer Wankhede’s request for an interim injunction in the Delhi High Court. Wankhede has alleged the series is defamatory and wants it taken down, but Red Chillies argued the plea amounts to forum shopping and lacks territorial jurisdiction.

Lawsuit should have been filed in Mumbai: Red Chillies

During the hearing, senior advocate Neeraj Kishan Kaul, representing Red Chillies, submitted that the lawsuit should have been filed in Mumbai. He said that Wankhede resides in Mumbai and the production house is also headquartered there, making the Delhi High Court an improper venue. Kaul told Justice Purushaindra Kumar Kaurav that the plaintiff artificially created jurisdiction by claiming the series was viewed in Delhi and reported on by Delhi-based media.“Merely because you feel something, there cannot be a cause of action. Clearly the jurisdiction is Mumbai and not Delhi. This is clearly a case where you have come for forum shopping,” Kaul argued, asserting Wankhede was attempting to manufacture a cause of action in Delhi when none existed.ALSO READ: 'Do I Deserve This Trial', Asks Sameer Wankhede As Court Finds Bias In Aryan Khan's The Ba***ds Of BollywoodRed Chillies further stated in its response to Wankhede’s interim application that the show is a “satire” - a legally protected form of artistic expression and social commentary. Referring to past media interactions, Kaul claimed Wankhede “is fond of giving interviews to the media and talked merrily about the issues after the launch of the Netflix series.”“He cannot pick a one minute stray scene out of context from a seven part show to contend that it is defamatory,” Kaul said. The production house argued the series explores broader themes in the Hindi film industry, including nepotism, paparazzi culture, adultery, and the struggles of newcomers, using parody and satirical undertones.

What are Sameer Wankhede's accusations?

Wankhede, however, maintains that the content maligns him intentionally. In his rejoinder, he alleged the “defamatory content” was created to “settle personal scores” and “avenge the arrest of Shah Rukh Khan’s son Aryan Khan” in the 2021 drugs case. The former NCB officer has filed a defamation suit seeking Rs 2 crore in damages, which he wants donated to Tata Memorial Cancer Hospital for cancer patients.For context, on October 8, the Delhi High Court issued notices and summons to Red Chillies Entertainment Private Limited, Netflix, X Corp, Google LLC, Meta Platforms, RPSG Lifestyle Media Private Limited, and John Doe, directing them to file replies within seven days.With inputs from PTI