Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India]: Actor Babil Khan, son of the late Irrfan Khan, has returned to Instagram after briefly deactivating his account following a series of emotional videos that sparked widespread speculation. The videos, which surfaced on Sunday, showed a visibly distressed Babil speaking about his struggles in the film industry.
Amid viral circulation of the now-deleted footage, Babil has clarified that his remarks were “extremely misinterpreted.” In a new Instagram Story, he explained that the videos were meant to express admiration and support for fellow artists, including Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Adarsh Gourav, Raghav Juyal, Siddhant Chaturvedi, and singer Arijit Singh.
“This video was extremely misinterpreted. I was trying to show support,” wrote Babil, adding, “I genuinely don’t have the energy to indulge more but I do this as responsibility for my peers that I truly admire.”
The young actor also reshared supportive messages from colleagues like Siddhant Chaturvedi and Raghav Juyal. Siddhant praised Babil with a heartfelt message: “We love to hate and hate to love. Stop looking for drama here—we are working hard to bring it to your screens.” He urged fans and the media to be more mindful before passing judgment.
Babil’s family and management released an official statement to address the controversy. “Babil has been widely misinterpreted. The video was taken out of context. He was sincerely acknowledging peers who are making meaningful contributions to Indian cinema,” the statement read. It also reassured well-wishers of Babil’s wellbeing and emphasized the importance of understanding the full context rather than isolated clips.
The videos, which featured Babil in tears, touched upon his emotional challenges in the film industry and hinted at the pressures he faces as a rising star and the son of a revered actor.
Known for his debut in the critically acclaimed film Qala and his recent appearance in Logout, Babil has been open about his grief and mental health struggles following the death of his father, Irrfan Khan.
Marking his father’s death anniversary recently, Babil posted a deeply emotional note: “With you, without you. Life goes on… Soon I’ll be there. With you, not without you. And we will run together, and fly…”
As Babil reclaims his voice on social media, fans and colleagues continue to show solidarity, urging a more compassionate understanding of the pressures faced by young actors in the industry.