Aryan Khan’s directorial venture, ‘The Ba***ds of Bollywood,’ has become a trending topic on Netflix, not just for its behind-the-scenes look at the film industry but also for its casting choices. The web series features an actor playing a Narcotics Control Cell (NCC) officer whose likeness to former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede has captivated the internet. This resemblance has propelled the actor, Ashish Kumar, into the spotlight.
Kumar, who embodies the NCC officer character, has experienced a significant uplift in his online following. His Instagram, active for just over a week, has seen a considerable influx of followers. He has responded to fan praise with humility, stating he simply performed his duties. The actor shared a clip of his character, notably delivering the line, ‘I am part of war against drugs.’
Amidst a defamation lawsuit filed by Sameer Wankhede against the show’s producers and Netflix, the on-screen character’s portrayal has drawn significant attention. Although the series does not explicitly name Wankhede, the visual cues and dialogue in a key scene are undeniable. The officer’s appearance and his famous catchphrase, ‘Satyamev Jayate,’ during a raid sequence have led viewers to draw direct comparisons. Phrases uttered by the character, like ‘Drugs have ruined this country,’ are widely seen as a commentary on Wankhede’s high-profile drug-related cases.