Actor calls it a decision for “self-care”, Sai Rajesh praises Babil’s dedication and talent
Actor Babil Khan has officially stepped away from filmmaker Sai Rajesh’s upcoming project, days after a social media storm sparked speculation around his involvement. The confirmation comes through heartfelt Instagram posts from both Babil and Sai Rajesh, signaling the end of a promising collaboration that fans were looking forward to. The project was reportedly a remake of Rajesh’s hit Telugu film Baby.
Babil Khan: “Unforeseen Circumstances”
In his statement on Instagram, Babil wrote, “With a lot of grit, passion, and mutual respect, Sai Rajesh sir and I both got along on this journey of creating magic together. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, things didn’t go ahead as everyone had planned.”
The young actor, son of the late legend Irrfan Khan, added that he would be “taking some time off” and wished the team the very best. “There is immense love between us,” he said, expressing hope of working with Sai Rajesh in the future.
Sai Rajesh Responds with Respect and Praise
Sai Rajesh, too, posted a message of admiration for Babil. Calling him “one of the most talented and hardworking actors” he has met, Rajesh wrote, “After spending time with Babil while prepping, I was very happy to be working with such a talented actor… I will miss my Hero!”
He added that he fully supports Babil’s decision to prioritize self-care and believes they will reunite on another project someday.
What Sparked the Fallout?
The unexpected turn came after Babil shared a series of Instagram Stories in which he appeared to criticize some Bollywood celebrities by name. The videos quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions. Babil later clarified that his statements were misinterpreted and that he was actually praising the actors he mentioned. He briefly deactivated his account before returning to clarify the misunderstanding.
Amid the backlash, Sai Rajesh posted a now-deleted Instagram Story directed at Babil’s team, questioning the perceived disregard for others involved in the project. He wrote, “It feels like only those whose names were mentioned in his video deserve respect — and the rest of us are just fools for standing by him all this while?”
The post added, “These sympathy games won’t work on us anymore. A sincere apology is the least you owe us. Say it, and let’s move on.”
Babil’s Emotional Response
In response, Babil shared emotional comments expressing heartbreak. “I gave two years of my life to the film,” he wrote, detailing the physical and emotional toll of preparing for the role, including extreme method acting practices. “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****** wrist for him,” he revealed.
Despite the fallout, both Babil and Sai Rajesh have ended their posts on a respectful note, suggesting there’s no lasting animosity — only the disappointment of a promising artistic partnership cut short.
Sources By Agencies
