Babil Khan, who was slated to star in Sai Rajesh’s upcoming film — reportedly the Hindi remake of Baby — has officially parted ways with the project. This development follows recent social media backlash that saw Babil in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Both Babil and the director took to Instagram to confirm the news.
In a heartfelt message, Babil shared that he and Sai Rajesh had begun their journey “with grit, passion, and mutual respect,” hoping to create “something magical.” However, he explained that “due to unforeseen circumstances, things haven’t panned out as we had envisioned.” Babil also noted that he would be stepping away to take some time off and added that he wishes the best for the team, expressing faith that they would “meet soon in the future and create magic together.”
Director Sai Rajesh echoed similar sentiments in his own post, calling Babil “one of the most talented and hardworking actors” he’s come across. He said that “watching him perform was inspiring” and added that he would “miss [his] hero.” Rajesh emphasised his respect for Babil’s decision to prioritise self-care, saying he’s sending “all the love” for his future journey.
However, beneath the surface of these polite statements lies a storm of tension and unresolved conflict.
Earlier this month, Babil faced criticism after posting a series of videos on Instagram in which he mentioned several Bollywood actors. Many interpreted these as indirect jabs at his peers. Babil later clarified that the videos were “extremely misinterpreted,” stating that he had actually intended to praise the actors, not criticise them. Following the uproar, he deactivated his Instagram account briefly before returning with a clarification.
In what appeared to be a direct reaction to the incident, Sai Rajesh posted a strongly worded note on his Instagram Stories, seemingly addressing the fallout with Babil’s team. He questioned, “Do you really think we’ll walk away quietly?” and expressed frustration over feeling like “only the actors named in his videos matter — and the rest of us who stood by him are fools.”
The director added that “these sympathy games won’t work anymore” and demanded “a genuine apology” as the least they deserved, stating bluntly, “Say it, and let’s move on.”
Babil responded in the comments section of the post, revealing how deeply affected he was. He wrote that the message “broke [his] heart,” and expressed frustration after having “given two years of [his] life” to the film. He added that he had “lived in filth just to make sure Sai Rajesh sir is happy with the character,” ending his note with, “It’s okay now. I’ll let my work speak. Goodbye.”
He also revealed the extreme lengths he went to for the role, saying, “I had bugs in my beard because he needed that in the character,” and that he had “given him [his] laughter while holding back [his] tears.” In a particularly jarring confession, he claimed, “I slit my f****** wrist for him.”
With emotions running high and the collaboration now at an end, fans are left reflecting on what could have been. While some continue to praise Babil’s dedication to his craft, others are calling for more professionalism in the industry. Whether or not Babil and Sai Rajesh will ever reunite remains to be seen — but for now, this off-screen drama has left a lasting impression.
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