In a moment that has left social media buzzing, Irrfan Khan’s son Babil Khan has gone viral for an emotional and raw rant against the “fake culture” of Bollywood. During a raw live session, the young actor teared up while venting his frustration with the superficiality of the industry, star culture, and the cold shoulder he says he has been given by some of Bollywood’s biggest names.
In the middle of the tearful outburst, Babil avoided not only hiding the names of celebrities like Ananya Panday, Shanaya Kapoor, and Arjun Kapoor but called them “rude” and “dismissive”. The now virally circulated video has been doing the rounds and has stirred up sympathy as much as controversy by fueling the debate about nepotism, social snobbery, and genuineness in Bollywood.
A Call to the System — Or a Cry for Inclusion?
Babil, who has earned a reputation for his delicate on-screen performances and poetic internet presence, has regularly talked about how he was different from the general Bollywood standard. But this rant was visceral, unvarnished, and intensely personal.
“I used to try and befriend them,” he lamented, speaking of Ananya Panday and Shanaya Kapoor. “But they never looked at me the same way. It was like I didn’t belong, that I wasn’t one of them.” He also said Arjun Kapoor, in turn, showed him “indifference and arrogance”.
The essence of Babil’s message wasn’t merely about being personally slighted — it was a criticism of a whole environment that prioritizes gloss, networking, and appearance over actual human connection. He kept reiterating how he feels like a stranger, even though he’s the son of one of Indian cinema’s most respected actors.
Netizens React: Support, Shock, and Skepticism
Responses online have been passionate but divided. Fans and commentators alike quickly rallied around Babil, commending his bravery for speaking up against an industry long criticized as a closed shop. #WeStandWithBabil and #BollywoodExposed trended on X (formerly Twitter), with users posting their own experiences and frustrations with the world of glamour.
“This is what happens when the son of an artist — not a star kid — attempts to stake his claim in Bollywood,” one tweeted.
Others, however, called out Babil for looking for attention or attempting to generate controversy pre-audience. Critics reminded them that numerous newbies get rejected and naming names may come back to haunt people in an industry infamous for gate-keeping.
The Shadow of Irrfan Khan: A Legacy of Integrity
What makes this narrative particularly engaging is Babil’s family background. His father, the late Irrfan Khan, was well-liked not only for his extraordinary acting ability but also for being humble, honest, and refusing to bow to Bollywood’s showy standards.
Fans and insiders alike have long wished Babil would follow in his father’s footsteps — not only as an actor, but also in remaining authentic. This viral moment, for so many, is a reminder of Irrfan’s authenticity, starkly contrasted to what Babil refers to as a “toxic culture of pretense.”
Babil has already spoken out about his own mental health battles, the trauma of losing his father, and the difficulty of dealing with fame in a world he claims to not fully know. This tantrum, although surprising to some, seems to be one of raw pain and loneliness.
The Bigger Conversation: Nepotism, Mental Health, and Realness
This episode has brought into focus bigger discourse around Bollywood inclusivity — or lack of. While discussions on nepotism have been constant since 2020’s tragic loss of Sushant Singh Rajput, Babil’s meltdown has brought home the fact that not all star kids fare well — particularly those who refuse to play along with the industry’s unstated codes.
It also brings to the surface the emotional cost of living in an industry that, for all its glamour, can be harsh and isolating to those who don’t fit its mold. Mental health, niceness, and genuine connection — issues that Babil prioritized — are now being explored with renewed urgency.
What’s Next for Babil?
So far, Babil has not made an official statement or apology after the viral clip. Yet, experts in the industry think this is going to be a turning point for how he is viewed — not only as Irrfan Khan’s son but also as a voice of unadulterated truth amidst a world where everyone is careful with what they say.
Whether this tirade generates backlash or a wider awareness is yet to be seen. But one thing is sure: Babil Khan has started a debate Bollywood can no longer turn a blind eye to.