Babil Khan, making his acting debut in 2022 with the award-winning movie Qala, has been at the center of attention since the movie came out. But in an emotional and candid revelation, Sutapa Sikdar, wife of the late Irrfan Khan, has brought to light the fact that her son Babil Khan is enduring huge psychological strain due to persistent comparison with his iconic father. Sutapa admitted that Babil is “in depression” due to the pressure being mounted on him.
Reportedly, Bilal was burdened not just by his acting but also by upholding the movie legacy of his father, who died in 2020 after a fight with cancer. Irrfan Khan was one of the most applauded actors for his Bollywood hits like Piku, Lunch Box, Billu Barber, Hindi Medium, and many Hollywood hits, Life of Pi and Jurassic World. Although Babil has been complimented for his fine performance, the ceaseless comparison to Irrfan’s illustration acting career has weighed on him.
"Babil pe bahut zyada pressure hai aur mujhe yeh thik nahin lagta (There is a lot of pressure on Babil, and I don't think it is okay)," said Sutapa, underlining that the pressure is impacting the mental health of her son. She continued, "This pressure shouldn't be there. Irrfan never had that pressure, and when you don't put any pressure on yourself, your individuality comes out."
Sutapa’s comments highlight the sometimes-unspoken emotional pressure on star kids, particularly when they have to live up to legendary parents’ legacies. She emphasized the need to let Babil discover his voice and identity in the field, as opposed to always being burdened with the recollection of his father’s success.
Irrfan Khan and Babli's fans and well-wishers have taken to social media to express concern and solidarity for the young actor, calling for the industry as well as the audience to be more understanding.
While Babil goes on to establish himself, this heart-wrenching appeal by his mother is a powerful reminder of the real human side of stardom—and the importance of developing new talent on their terms.