Babil Khan, the son of the legendary actor, the late Irrfan Khan, shared a bizarre video on his Instagram story that worried many social media users, making headlines and front pages. Since then, the overwhelming chaos has taken over the internet, with concern for the actor and never-ending questions about Bollywood. Let’s take a glimpse at what happened with the controversial video.
Babil Khan posted a video on Sunday
On May 4, the ‘Railway Men’ actor mentioned a couple of celebrities from the industry and called Bollywood ‘the fakest industry he has been a part of.’ “Bollywood is the most fakest, fakest, fakest industry that I’ve ever ever been a part of. But, there are a few people that want Bollywood to be better. I got to show you so much more, so much more, so much more. I have so much more to give you,” Babil said while being heartbroken.
“What I mean to say is that. I just want you guys to know that there are people like Shanaya Kapoor, Ananya Panday, Arjun Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav, and Arijit Singh. There are so many more names. Bollywood is so f–ked Bollywood is so screwed,” he concluded, naming many celebrites that created confusion all over the internet.
While the videos were deleted, they have been circulating through fan pages and media users.
Babil Khan deactivated his Instagram; later, his team posted an official statement
Soon after the shocking video was posted, the widespread reactions led to Babil Khan deactivating his Instagram account. However, his team and family clarified that his words were taken ‘out of context’ and he meant to acknowledge his peers’ contributions to the ever-changing landscape of Bollywood.
“Over the past few years, Babil Khan has earned immense love and appreciation for his work, as well as for his openness about his mental health journey. Like anyone else, Babil is allowed to have difficult days - and this was one of them. We want to reassure all his well-wishers that he is safe and will be feeling better soon,” the official statement read.
“In the clip, Babil was sincerely acknowledging a few of his peers whom he believes are making meaningful contributions to the evolving landscape of Indian cinema. His mention of artists like Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav, Arjun Kapoor, and Arijit Singh came from a place of genuine admiration - for their authenticity, passion, and efforts to restore credibility and heart in the industry,” the statement added.
“We respectfully urge media publications and the public to consider the full context of his words rather than drawing conclusions from fragmented video clips,” the statement concluded from ‘Team Babil Khan.’
Siddhant Chaturvedi and Raghav Juyal came in support of Babil Khan
As soon as the official statement was released, a couple of celebrities mentioned by Babil came forward to support him after the mass interpretation of his words. “Babil is my family and I am always with him no matter what,” Raghav Juyal said in his Instagram post after re-sharing the statement from the ‘Team Babil Khan.’
Siddhant Chaturvedi said, “I usually never engage in sh-t written about me and my colleagues, but this one’s personal. So to all the redditors, gossip columns and media portals of the internet. Stop. We love to hate and hate to love, is this what we’ve come to? Stop looking for drama here. All of us are working hard to bring drama to you on your screens.”
“Shayad wahan thodi kami reh gai hogi ki aap hamari neeji zindagi mein wo dhoondhne lage ho? Koshish jaari hai hamari taraf se, aur aap bhi koshish karein ki koi bhi judgement dene se pehle ek baar soch lein. (Perhaps we were inadequate to bring drama on the screens, and that is the reason why you are trying to find it in our personal lives. But think once before you pass any judgment.) Peace out,” he concluded.
Saj Rajesh argues with Team Babil Khan
However, many celebrities clapped back at the team and Babil Khan. Sai Rajesh, the director of ‘Baby’ (2023), argued that Babil has an attitude and was pretentious for those whose names were mentioned by him. Others, who supported Babil Khan throughout his journey, were not mentioned, and he accused Babil’s team of being inconsiderate.
Babil Khan commented on the now-deleted post, stating, “You really broke my heart. After everything I’ve given to you. @satish_naidu1982 2 years of my life, complete physical atrocity to my body just so I can do justice to his character, I gave him my soul, rejected everything that came in my way for 2 years, anything and everything he needed, for 500 days of my life.”
“Not to mention, the pain and the suffering I put in my soul, lived in filth just to make sure sir @sairazesh is happy with the character. It’s okay now. I’ll let my work speak. Goodbye. Man, I had bugs in my beard because he needed that in the character. I gave him my laughter while I held back my tears. I slit my f—ing wrist for him,” he continued.
Babil deleted his comments, and Sai Rajesh deleted his post.
Harshvardhan Rane advised him to stay away from events and parties
Many other celebrities advised him with insightful comments. Harshvardhan Rane, the ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’ actor, advised Babil to stay away from Bollywood events and parties. “Dear Babil Khan, you’re blessed with God level genetics in acting, we need you to carry on the legacy! Please just give your best to the craft and after that ‘stay away from the events and after parties’, so as to avoid interaction with irritants,” he said in the statement shared on Instagram.
“I am not from a film family. I have learnt that people won’t treat you badly if you don’t allow them. You need to ‘stand your ground.’ … also please ‘stay away from alcohol and any such stuff’, because to stand tall you will need strength. Please take care,” Rane concluded.
Vindu Dara Singh claimed the video was stupid
Vindu Dara Singh stated that the video was ‘stupid,’ citing that Babil shouldn’t have done it. He further continued that life is about mistakes, and hopefully, Babil learned from his. “Life has its ups and downs—there will be good times and bad times. But you have to stay strong. Babil's father, Irrfan bhai, was a great man. His blessings are with him. We pray that he shines. He shouldn't feel depressed or upset because of anyone,” Singh said during the conversation with Instant Bollywood.
The fans are not convinced even after the official statement...
Despite the official statements and support from his peers, the netizens are concerned about Babil’s mental health. A few days ago, Babil shared a poem on Instagram for his father, Irrfan Khan on the account of his death anniversary. “With you, without you. Life goes on, With me, without me. Soon I’ll be there. With you, not without you. And we will run together, and fly, Drink from waterfalls, pink not blue. I will hug you so tight, and I will cry, Then we’ll laugh, just like we used to. I miss you,” he wrote in the Instagram caption attached to a picture of them both.
Following the heartbreaking post, Babil shared the video on Sunday, and many of his fans are concerned about him. One user said, “Babil Khan was angry and he vented his anger out on social media through a video where he showed his vulnerability as a human being. It was scary. As a parent if I would see my kid in this state of mind I would panic at my own failure as a guardian of my child. But many good things came out of the video. Many people saw their own vulnerability in Babil Khan and therefore there is hardly any criticism about his behaviour. What Babil did would be wrong in many ways, but it is also right in many ways,” and they continued in the post.
Another user expressed, “man i just hope Babil Khan is alright and is surrounded by people that love him during difficult times, that guy is such a sweetheart. bollywood truly doesn't deserve him”.
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