Actor Babil Khan has often spoken about living in the shadow of his late father, the legendary Irrfan Khan, widely regarded as one of the finest actors of his generation. In a recent interview, Babil talked about how his mother Sutapa helped his father by critiquing his performances and breaking down his films.
During his appearance on the AfterHours podcast on YouTube, Babil Khan discussed his career, romantic relationships, his father’s enduring legacy, and much more. He spoke about his mother’s vital role in supporting his father, both as a critic and as a steadfast source of strength. Babil, who won an IIFA Award for his debut film Qala, revealed that he had planned to honour his father during his acceptance speech. However, as he stood on stage, he realized that his father’s remarkable achievements would not have been possible without his mother’s unwavering support.
He said, “On the stage, I realised that Baba would never have been Baba if it was not for my mother. If she didn’t attend the PTA and sports days, he would never have been able to do what he did. I am not even talking about gender equality or disparity. I am talking about the bond and the sacrifices one makes for their partner.”
Babil Khan noted that his mother’s support extended far beyond managing the household and caring for the children; she also helped Irrfan with his films and the way he would act. “Whenever Baba would come back home after a good role, she would critically scrutinise him and break his films down, where he went wrong, where he did right, and that would make him improve,” he said. Babil added that watching his mother break down his father’s performances made him feel he should never become an actor, as “the greatest critic and the greatest actor were both in his home.”
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According to Babil, his mother Sutapa liked his performance in his latest film, Log Out, which explores the current generation’s dependence on technology. “She liked it, and I was very surprised, because she is brutally honest, and she needs to be with me. Usually she tells me that I did well but also points out where I need to improve, but with Log Out she didn’t say anything.”
