Sameer Wankhede Breaks Silence on Aryan Khan Case: ‘I Don’t Believe in the Word Celebrity’
The month of October 2021 marked a challenging chapter in the life of superstar Shah Rukh Khan. His son, Aryan Khan, was detained in connection with an alleged international drug racket investigation.
Aryan spent 25 days in Mumbai Central Prison and faced four bail rejections before being granted bail on October 28, 2021. By May 2022, he was cleared of all charges due to insufficient evidence.
While Shah Rukh and Aryan remained in the spotlight, another individual gained significant attention during this period—Sameer Wankhede, then the Zonal Director of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB).
Wankhede faced allegations of procedural and financial irregularities during the investigation. Recently, he opened up about the incident, minimizing its importance in his professional journey.
Wankhede Denies Targeting Celebrities
In an interview with YouTuber Gaurav Thakur, Wankhede addressed accusations that he specifically targeted celebrities. He remarked:
“I don’t believe in the word ‘celebrity,’ both personally and professionally. People see me as someone who only gets hold of so-called celebrities, but they are not the only people I have handled. There are other 3,400 cases that I have dealt with; those don’t make it to the limelight because those people don’t have face value or the charm to become headlines. I only did my duty. It’s not my fault if people write headlines around certain people.”
Dismissing Aryan Khan’s case as insignificant, Wankhede added:
“I don’t agree that it is the ‘elephant in the room’; I would rather think of it as one of the smallest cases of my career—a microorganism in the room. I don’t want to give it so much importance or waste my time talking about it.”
Legal Constraints and Professional Conduct
Wankhede further elaborated on his inability to discuss the case in detail due to legal constraints. He explained:
“The matter is currently in court, and I don’t want to comment on it. The only reason I avoid talking about it is because I have given an affidavit in court that I will not speak about the case. There is a lot to share and talk about, but there is a code of conduct, due to which I can’t discuss. Once the court passes its verdict, I will surely speak about it in detail.”
Despite the allegations and public scrutiny, Wankhede emphasized that he has nothing to hide and is not afraid of the outcome.
Speculations Over Shah Rukh Khan’s Jawan Dialogue
Following Aryan’s exoneration in May 2022, Shah Rukh Khan delivered two major hits in 2023, Pathaan and Jawan. A dialogue from Jawan stirred public speculation, with many interpreting it as a veiled response to Wankhede.
The line—“Bete ko hath lagane se pehle, baap se baat kar” (Before touching the son, deal with the father)—became a topic of intense debate.
During the investigation, leaked chats allegedly showed Shah Rukh pleading with Wankhede for leniency for Aryan. Addressing the controversy, Wankhede remarked:
“I don’t want to take names and make them famous. As far as the leaked chats are concerned, I will repeat myself: I am not allowed to comment on it. Whatever dialogue is seemingly used against me… with the words ‘baap’ and ‘beta,’ they sound extremely cheap and third-rated. We don’t use such words in a cultured society. These are simply roadside dialogues. I don’t expect myself to give importance to such things and react.”
Aryan Khan’s Exoneration and Wankhede’s Current Role
Aryan Khan was cleared of all charges in May 2022, following a thorough review of the evidence.
In the aftermath, Shah Rukh Khan regained professional momentum with his blockbuster films, while Sameer Wankhede moved on to a new role as Additional Commissioner with the Directorate General of Taxpayer Services (DGTS).
Reflecting on his career, Wankhede continues to dismiss Aryan’s case as a minor event, reiterating that his professional focus lies elsewhere. Despite the controversies and public attention, he maintains his stance on conducting his duties without bias.
