Actor Babil Khan, son of the late Irrfan Khan, recently became the centre of online debate after an emotionally charged video of him went viral.
The clip, originally posted to his Instagram Story and later deleted, showed Babil appearing distressed and tearful while referencing several Bollywood celebrities.
The incident quickly sparked concerns about his mental health, with some viewers questioning whether the video was an authentic expression of vulnerability or a promotional move for his latest film, Logout.
In the viral footage, Babil mentions names like Ananya Panday, Arjun Kapoor, Shanaya Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav, and Arijit Singh.
At one point, he can be heard saying, “Bollywood is so f*****. Bollywood is so screwed,” and calls the industry “the most fakest” environment he has ever been in.
Despite the harsh tone, he also expresses that there are still people trying to improve the state of the industry, adding, “I have so much more to give you.”
The clip left social media users divided.
Some expressed genuine concern for Babil’s mental well-being, while others suspected it could be a calculated move linked to Logout, a psychological cyber-thriller that premiered on ZEE5 on April 18, 2025.
In the film, Babil plays a social media influencer whose life unravels when a fan hijacks his digital identity — a storyline that some believe may have bled into his real-life online presence.
Amid the growing speculation, Babil’s team released an official statement clarifying the situation.
Shared also by his mother, Sutapa Sikdar, the statement acknowledged that Babil was experiencing a difficult day.
“Over the past few years, Babil Khan has received immense appreciation for his work and his openness about mental health. Like anyone, he is allowed to have challenging moments — this was one of them. We want to reassure everyone that he is safe and on the path to feeling better,” the statement read.
It also addressed the misinterpretation of the viral video.
“The clip circulating has been taken out of context. Babil was in fact expressing admiration for the work of his peers, including Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Raghav Juyal, Adarsh Gourav, and Arijit Singh. His intent was to appreciate their authenticity and dedication to making meaningful contributions to Indian cinema,” the statement clarified.
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Online reactions remain mixed. Some Reddit users interpreted the video as a cry for help, pointing out that many of the people named are linked to the same social circles in the industry.
Others warned that if this turns out to be a promotional stunt, it could damage Babil’s credibility and emotional rapport with his audience.
Babil Khan made his acting debut with Qala in 2022, followed by roles in Friday Night Plan and The Railway Men in 2023.
