Actor Ibrahim Ali Khan has offered a candid assessment of his challenging first year in the film industry, admitting he rushed into his debut project, Nadaaniyan, which was released on Netflix in March. The film, along with his second direct-to-OTT release, Sarzameen (released in July), was critically panned, with reviewers frequently describing his performance as ‘raw and unprepared.’
In an interview with Esquire India, the young actor, who is the son of Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh and the grandson of Sharmila Tagore, addressed the negative reception.
Rethinking the Debut
Ibrahim clarified that while he never took his opportunity for granted, he did approach his film debut with a touch of overconfidence. “I am not saying I took my chance for granted, but I stepped into the industry like, ‘Ho jaayega’,” he admitted. Despite his continued hard work—including addressing an ongoing speech issue—he now believes his timing was premature.
“But in a way, I feel I must have rushed into that movie. I was 21 when I began shooting for it—others around me are doing it at 26, 27, 28—and I now think I could have been more mindful of the scale of what was going to happen,” he explained.
Critical Reception and Career Setbacks
Ibrahim’s debut film, Nadaaniyan, was directed by debutant Shauna Gautam and featured a cast including Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty, Dia Mirza, and Jugal Hansraj. The movie received largely negative reviews and holds a low Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of just 12%.
Four months later, his second film, Sarzameen, an action thriller set in Kashmir directed by debutant Kayoze Irani, also failed to impress critics despite featuring seasoned actors like Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film explored complex themes, following an army officer who discovers his estranged, kidnapped son has been radicalized into a militant.
The Power of Lineage
Faced with self-doubt following the setbacks, Ibrahim turns to his famous filmy pedigree for motivation. He shared that his family background serves as a crucial reminder and source of inspiration.
“I usually always have self-doubt. Whenever I feel unsure, all this (lineage) is a reminder of who’s at home. ‘You’re Saif Ali Khan’s kid. Bebo’s [stepmom Kareena Kapoor] in your family. You should be able to do it. You should be smashing it, man,’” he stated, using the pressure as fuel for his ambition.
Next on the Horizon
Undeterred by his early struggles, Ibrahim Ali Khan’s next project is the sports drama Diler. The film, which is reportedly the story of a marathon runner, is being helmed by director Kunal Deshmukh and will also star Sreeleela. While an official release date has not been confirmed, Diler is expected to hit screens sometime in 2026.