'Addicts, stoners, entertainers can't be our real heroes': Sameer Wankhede

India Oct 04, 2025

Former NCB director Sameer Wankhede, speaking on the Journey of Giants podcast, urged young Indians to rethink who they look up to.
He said, "Addicts, stoners, people who entertain, they cannot be our real heroes," and encouraged youth to admire figures like Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Captain Vikram Batra instead.
His message: "Say no to drugs, say yes to life."

Who is Wankhede?

Wankhede is an Indian IRS officer known for leading high-profile drug investigations—most famously the 2021 Aryan Khan cruise case—which made him a controversial figure in Bollywood circles.
He's faced criticism and legal battles over his methods but insists all his actions were backed by evidence.