Karan Johar has spoken out about Babil Khan’s now-deleted emotional video that recently stirred widespread attention on social media. In his first reaction to the incident, Johar expressed deep concern and said he felt personally affected after watching the young actor break down on camera. The filmmaker shared his thoughts during a conversation with Galatta Plus, where he acknowledged the emotional weight of the video and responded as both an industry veteran and a parent.
“I felt as bad as people did as a parent when I saw Babil’s meltdown. I felt terrible because I also have a son and a daughter,” Johar said in the interview. His statement comes at a time when questions around the emotional well-being of actors and the mounting pressures of the industry are gaining attention.
Karan’s remarks offered a rare moment of empathy from one of Bollywood’s most scrutinized figures. Known for being at the center of debates around nepotism, Johar refrained from addressing that aspect of the video and instead focused on Babil’s vulnerable state.
Karan Johar Addresses Ongoing Criticism
In the same interview, Karan Johar also discussed the backlash around Nadaaniyan, a recent Dharma Productions film starring Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor. He said, “Hating on Nadaaniyan became fashionable. The more you hate on it, the more videos you put out, the more engagement you will get. People are loving nepo kid bashing and I am like ‘move on.’”
Johar defended his casting choices, stressing that talent remains the priority regardless of background. He also pushed back against the label of being the industry’s most criticized figure, stating, “Am I the face of Bollywood hate and if I am then ‘thank you’ for giving me this elevation. But do I deserve it? I don’t think so.”
He further pointed out that while critics are quick to call out nepotism, few acknowledge his support for outsiders, such as filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, whose projects Ajeeb Daastaans and the upcoming Homebound were backed by Dharma.
The Video That Sparked a Wave of Concern
Babil Khan, the son of the late actor Irrfan Khan, shared a video earlier this month in which he appeared emotional and visibly shaken. In the clip, which quickly went viral before being deleted, he named several Bollywood personalities including Ananya Panday, Arjun Kapoor, Shanaya Kapoor, Raghav Juyal, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Adarsh Gourav, and Arijit Singh. The content of the video raised concern among viewers and triggered speculation about Babil’s mental and emotional state.
Shortly after the video spread online, Babil deactivated his Instagram account. His family later issued a public statement to clarify the intent behind the video and offer reassurance to fans and colleagues.
According to the official statement released by his family, Babil’s mention of fellow artists was made from a place of admiration. They explained that he was acknowledging peers who he believed were contributing meaningfully to Indian cinema. The statement read that his words were “motivated by admiration — for their authenticity, passion, and efforts to restore credibility and heart in the industry.”
The family further stated that the video was recorded during an emotionally difficult moment and that Babil was taking time to rest and recover. They made it clear that the clip was not meant to create controversy or draw comparisons, but had simply been misunderstood after going viral.
Industry Voices Offer Support
The incident also prompted reactions from various members of the film industry. Actor Harshvardhan Rane took to Instagram Stories to share an encouraging message for Babil, urging him to stay focused on his craft and avoid distractions. Drawing from his own journey as an outsider, Rane reminded Babil of the emotional toll the industry can take and advised him to protect his mental and physical health.
Raghav Juyal, who was named in the video, spoke to Babil’s mother, Sutapa Sikdar, and shared that the actor had suffered an anxiety attack. According to Juyal, Babil had returned home from Hyderabad, where he was preparing for a shoot, to recover. Siddhant Chaturvedi also responded indirectly with a reflective message on social media, discouraging gossip and calling for sensitivity.
“I felt as bad as people did as a parent when I saw Babil’s meltdown. I felt terrible because I also have a son and a daughter,” Johar said in the interview. His statement comes at a time when questions around the emotional well-being of actors and the mounting pressures of the industry are gaining attention.
Karan’s remarks offered a rare moment of empathy from one of Bollywood’s most scrutinized figures. Known for being at the center of debates around nepotism, Johar refrained from addressing that aspect of the video and instead focused on Babil’s vulnerable state.
Karan Johar Addresses Ongoing Criticism
In the same interview, Karan Johar also discussed the backlash around Nadaaniyan, a recent Dharma Productions film starring Ibrahim Ali Khan and Khushi Kapoor. He said, “Hating on Nadaaniyan became fashionable. The more you hate on it, the more videos you put out, the more engagement you will get. People are loving nepo kid bashing and I am like ‘move on.’”
Johar defended his casting choices, stressing that talent remains the priority regardless of background. He also pushed back against the label of being the industry’s most criticized figure, stating, “Am I the face of Bollywood hate and if I am then ‘thank you’ for giving me this elevation. But do I deserve it? I don’t think so.”
He further pointed out that while critics are quick to call out nepotism, few acknowledge his support for outsiders, such as filmmaker Neeraj Ghaywan, whose projects Ajeeb Daastaans and the upcoming Homebound were backed by Dharma.
The Video That Sparked a Wave of Concern
Babil Khan, the son of the late actor Irrfan Khan, shared a video earlier this month in which he appeared emotional and visibly shaken. In the clip, which quickly went viral before being deleted, he named several Bollywood personalities including Ananya Panday, Arjun Kapoor, Shanaya Kapoor, Raghav Juyal, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Adarsh Gourav, and Arijit Singh. The content of the video raised concern among viewers and triggered speculation about Babil’s mental and emotional state.
Shortly after the video spread online, Babil deactivated his Instagram account. His family later issued a public statement to clarify the intent behind the video and offer reassurance to fans and colleagues.
According to the official statement released by his family, Babil’s mention of fellow artists was made from a place of admiration. They explained that he was acknowledging peers who he believed were contributing meaningfully to Indian cinema. The statement read that his words were “motivated by admiration — for their authenticity, passion, and efforts to restore credibility and heart in the industry.”
The family further stated that the video was recorded during an emotionally difficult moment and that Babil was taking time to rest and recover. They made it clear that the clip was not meant to create controversy or draw comparisons, but had simply been misunderstood after going viral.
Industry Voices Offer Support
The incident also prompted reactions from various members of the film industry. Actor Harshvardhan Rane took to Instagram Stories to share an encouraging message for Babil, urging him to stay focused on his craft and avoid distractions. Drawing from his own journey as an outsider, Rane reminded Babil of the emotional toll the industry can take and advised him to protect his mental and physical health.
Raghav Juyal, who was named in the video, spoke to Babil’s mother, Sutapa Sikdar, and shared that the actor had suffered an anxiety attack. According to Juyal, Babil had returned home from Hyderabad, where he was preparing for a shoot, to recover. Siddhant Chaturvedi also responded indirectly with a reflective message on social media, discouraging gossip and calling for sensitivity.
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