Babil Khan; with director Sai Rajesh
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement and @sairazesh/Instagram
Bollywood actor Babil Khan on Saturday (May 17) confirmed that he has exited filmmaker Sai Rajesh’s upcoming film, weeks after the two engaged in an online spat over Babil’s viral video criticising Bollywood. The actor was part of Sai’s Hindi remake of his 2023 Telugu film Baby.
On his official Instagram handle, 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.”
“Since I will be taking some time off currently, I wish the best to Sai Rajesh sir and the film team on their future journey. I know there is immense love between us, and we will meet soon in the future and create magic together,” he added.
Meanwhile, Sai Rajesh called Babil “one of the most talented and hardworking actors” he has met, and that he respects the actor’s decision to prioritise self-care. “I have to accept this unfortunate reality of the situation. After spending time with Babil while prepping, I was very happy to be working with such a talented actor,” he wrote.
“I will still always cherish the experience of seeing him perform in front of me … I will miss my Hero! I respect his decision of self care first, and wish him all the best and send him all the love in the future! I know we both will create that magic together for sure (sic),” he added.
For the unversed, Babil had an emotional breakdown on his Instagram stories earlier this month, calling Bollywood “the fakest industry he has been a part of,” before dropping names of some Bollywood celebrities and deactivating his Instagram account. Babil then reactivated his account and stated that his video was “misinterpreted” and that he was trying to show support to his peers.
Meanwhile, filmmaker Sai Rajesh criticised the actor on his Instagram story, writing, “To Babil Khan’s team. Do you really think we’re that naive to just walk away silently? What kind of attitude are we being subjected to? 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?
“If you’re making them feel valued just because he gave them a shoutout, and ignoring the rest of us — then yes, we do deserve an apology for how things have been handled. I genuinely wanted to stand by him — even until an hour ago. But if you’re taking us for granted, that stops here. 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,” he added.
The post invited Babil’s wrath. “You really broke my heart. After everything I’ve given to you. 2 years of my life, complete physical atrocity to my body just so I can do justice to his character, I gave him my soul, rejected everything that came in my way for 2 years, anything and everything he needed, for 500 days of my life,” wrote the actor on the comments of the post.
“Not to mention, the pain and the suffering I put in my soul, lived in filth just to make sure sir @sairazesh is happy with the character. It’s okay now. I’ll let my work speak. Goodbye. 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,” added the actor.
(Roshini suicide prevention helpline number are: 8142020033/44 and 040 66202000/2001.)
Published – May 18, 2025 11:18 am IST