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Sameer Wankhede, former NCB Zonal Director, addresses the challenges of handling Aryan Khan’s 2021 drug case.
Former NCB officer Sameer Wankhede speaks about Aryan Khan’s 2021 drug case, viral New Year’s Eve video, trolling, and Shah Rukh Khan’s rumored reaction.
In a high-profile case that dominated headlines in 2021, Aryan Khan, the son of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, was arrested by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for alleged involvement in a drug racket. The case, led by then-Zonal Director Sameer Wankhede, drew immense public and media attention, sparking a firestorm of debate, speculation, and online trolling. Recently, Wankhede opened up about the challenges he faced during that time, his perspective on the trolling, and his stance on various allegations linked to the case.
Wankhede, who became a polarizing figure during the investigation, addressed how he dealt with the relentless trolling and personal attacks. Speaking to Zoom Entertainment, he shared, “Trolling is entertainment for me. I have faced much worse: bullets, terrorists. These are very small things. Threatening messages are quite funny.”
Despite the criticism, Wankhede said he received equal amounts of praise for his handling of the case. “Many have appreciated me for holding the land of the law equal for all,” he added, dismissing his detractors with a simple message: “Try harder.”
Following Aryan’s arrest and eventual bail, Shah Rukh Khan notably stayed away from the media, prompting speculation that he was upset about how the case was covered. Wankhede, however, stated he had no interest in following the actor’s actions. “I have no clue what he has been doing,” he remarked.
Asked about Aryan allegedly being intoxicated at a New Year’s Eve party—a claim that circulated widely after a viral video surfaced—Wankhede offered a broader comment on youth culture. “I would not like to comment on this person, but, if you talk about 31st, youngsters today think New Year’s eve is meant to get sloshed. No doubt, people should enjoy, but don’t harm your body.”
When probed about Shah Rukh Khan’s recent decision to quit smoking and whether it might have been influenced by the drugs case, Wankhede dismissed the question outright. “I would not want to comment on ‘XYZ person’,” he said.
The case continued to make headlines in 2023 when Shah Rukh Khan’s blockbuster film Jawan featured a dialogue many fans believed referenced the case. The line—“Bete ko haath lagane se pehle, baap se baat kar”—was interpreted as a jab at Wankhede. However, the former NCB officer dismissed the notion. “A lot of people said it was aimed at me but, I don’t think so. I am not that important for them to include me in their movies. If at all it is about me, I would like to take it as a compliment. And as far as the words in the dialogue are concerned, it is third-grade and not part of our Indian culture.”
On the allegations that Aryan Khan didn’t have drugs on him at the time of his arrest, Wankhede offered a detailed explanation of the legal framework for such cases. “One thing that people need to understand is that when a drug is being manufactured, there might be a supplier and also a consumer for the same. If a police officer catches hold of someone involved in the process, is it presumed that the person who has supplied drugs to the consumer should not be arrested? Obviously, there won’t be drugs with them because they have already delivered it to the concerned party.”
There were also rumors that Aryan Khan had told Wankhede, “Tu janta nahi mera baap kaun hai?” when he was detained. Wankhede refused to directly address the claim. “I wouldn’t like to comment on such things. It is all submitted in the court. If at all, in some other case, anybody used such language with me, they will be strongly dealt with by law. Such language doesn’t work with me.”
On the work front, Aryan Khan is gearing up for his much-anticipated directorial debut, Stardom, a six-episode series set against the backdrop of the film industry. Last year, Pinkvilla exclusively reported that the series explores themes of fame and ambition, with a universal appeal for cinephiles.
Written and directed by Aryan himself, the show is being produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and will premiere on Netflix. The project gained attention in November 2024 when Shah Rukh Khan shared an announcement on social media, writing, “Witness Bollywood like never before on Netflix! Presenting Aryan Khan’s directorial debut in an all-new series, coming soon!”
Reports suggest the series will feature Lakshay in the lead role, with exciting cameos by Bollywood heavyweights such as SRK, Ranbir Kapoor, Badshah, and Ranveer Singh. As Aryan transitions from star kid to director, Stardom promises to be a significant milestone in his career.
