We missed this earlier: Shah Rukh Khan-owned production house Red Chillies Entertainment has filed its reply to former Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer Sameer Wankhede’s defamation suit in the Delhi High Court (HC), as per a Hindustan Times report.
Notably, the production house argues that the Netflix series “The Ba***ds of Bollywood” is a work of satire, and as such does not defame Wankhede.
For context, Red Chillies states that the series uses humour, exaggeration, and parody, which Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution protects as forms of artistic expression.
The production house has also contended that the show explores multiple facets of the Bollywood industry, such as nepotism, paparazzi culture, adultery, and the struggles of newcomers, through the satirical lens.
Red Chillies has also contended that the show explores multiple facets of the Bollywood industry, such as nepotism, paparazzi culture, adultery, and the struggles of newcomers, through the satirical lens.
Notably, Wankhede had filed a lawsuit against Netflix and Red Chillies Entertainment in the Delhi HC last month, asking for Rs 2 crore, a takedown of the allegedly defamatory content, and an injunction to prevent the publishing or dissemination of any other defamatory statements about him.
In particular, Wankhede had alleged that the Netflix series involves an actor resembling him and that one specific scene “targets and ridicules” him.
“The Defendant No. 1 (Red Chillies) has purposefully and intentionally crafted a character in defamatory content with the sole intent to connect with the plaintiff, making the character’s actions, speech, and traits strikingly similar to those of the plaintiff.
“Clearly, therefore, this was a conscious and intentional attempt to portray the plaintiff in a negative light, camouflaging their malicious intentions by creating a character that mimics the plaintiff’s persona,” Wankhede had argued in his complaint.
Red Chillies Entertainment Response on Alleged Defamation
In response, Red Chillies has said that the scene in question lasts only one minute and 48 seconds, merely portraying an “overzealous officer” and carrying no defamatory reference to the plaintiff.
Khan’s production house goes on to issue a caution against pre-trial injunctions with respect to defamation cases, saying that they equal prior restraint on free speech.
“Satire allows the satirist to criticise in the harshest of terms and is not intended to disparage or harm reputation. Whether the comment is satirical or malicious can only be determined at trial,” Red Chillies said in its reply.
The production house adds that any attempt that imposes prior restraint or censorship can only be justified under Article 19(2) of the Indian Constitution.
For context, Article 19(2) provides justification to censor content to protect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the security of the State,…
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