Actor Babil Khan has confirmed that he is no longer a part of filmmaker Sai Rajesh’s upcoming Hindi film, which was reportedly a remake of the Telugu hit Baby. The news comes just days after Babil stirred online conversations with controversial social media posts that were widely misinterpreted, leading to tension between the actor and the filmmaker.
In a statement shared on Instagram, Babil wrote,
“With a lot of grit, passion, and mutual respect, Sai Rajesh sir and I embarked on a journey to create magic. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, things didn’t proceed as we had all hoped.”
He added that he would be taking some time off and wished Sai Rajesh and the film’s team the very best, expressing hope that they would collaborate again in the future.
Sai Rajesh, too, addressed the development on Instagram. Calling Babil “one of the most talented and hardworking actors” he’s worked with, the director said,
“After spending time with Babil during the prep, I was thrilled to work with such an extraordinary talent… I will always cherish seeing him bring a character to life in front of me. I will miss my Hero.”
Rajesh added that he respects Babil’s decision to prioritise his well-being and sent him love and support.
What Went Wrong?
The actor recently posted a series of videos on Instagram where he mentioned several Bollywood stars by name. While Babil later clarified that his intent was to praise the actors, the tone was widely seen as critical. Following the backlash, Babil deactivated his account briefly before returning with a clarification that the videos were “extremely misinterpreted.”
Things escalated when Sai Rajesh appeared to express his displeasure in a since-deleted Instagram story.
“Do you really think we’re that naive to just walk away silently?” 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. A sincere apology is the least you owe us.”
Babil responded in the comments, sharing that the note broke his heart.
“I gave two years of my life to this film… lived in filth just to make sure Sai sir was happy with the character. It’s okay now. I’ll let my work speak. Goodbye.”
He also revealed intense details of his preparation:
“I had bugs in my beard because the role required it. I gave him my laughter while hiding my tears. I slit my f**** wrist for him.”
Despite the emotional fallout, both parties have publicly maintained respect for each other’s craft and commitment. While the collaboration may have ended for now, fans will undoubtedly watch closely to see what comes next for both Babil and Sai Rajesh.
