Aryan Khan’s The Ba***ds of Bollywood is currently generating different responses all over for giving a quirky sneak peek into the industry. While it is being receiving love for the humorous narrative, the show has also come under the radar for making jokes about anti-drug agencies like the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
Recently, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanoongo issued his objection over the show’s depiction of officials working in government agencies. Speaking to NDTV, Priyank said, “Bollywood wants to end credibility of agencies working against drugs. We have sent a notice to I&B ministry that such content should be deleted which affect our GenZ and action should be taken against them
He added that showing the officials as “corrupt or biased” constitutes a violation and questioned the "negative mindset" of the industry for portraying anti-drug agencies as a "joke". “So, you can't create a negative environment around them by mocking them. We will not let them malign the image of a premier agency like NCB,” he said.
In the first episode of the show, an official belonging to an anti-drug agency is shown in a caricatured way and it bore resemblance to ex-NCB officer Sameer Wankhede, who was involved in arresting Aryan in a drug case investigation in 2021.
Earlier, the NHRC had issued notice to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Mumbai police commissioner alleging that The Ba***ds of Bollywood showed Ranbir Kapoor using banned e-cigarette on screen, "without any warning or disclaimer".
The NHRC has sought an inquiry into the matter and an "action taken report" be submitted within two weeks for perusal of the Commission.