Babil Khan, son of the late actor Irrfan Khan, recently opened up about his deep admiration for his father's film "Piku," while also sharing insights into his relationship with filmmaker Shoojit Sircar. Babil considers "Piku" to be a masterpiece. He also expressed that Shoojit Sircar has become a father figure to him.
Babil has spoken about the impact of his father's fame on his childhood, recalling the "traumatic" experience of being separated from him due to fan frenzy. Despite the challenges, Babil is now navigating his own path in the film industry, with Sircar offering guidance and support.
Babil acknowledged the inevitable comparisons to his father, but he is determined to create his own identity while honoring Irrfan's legacy. He appreciates the "lightness of being" he observed in Tom Hanks when he met him during the "Inferno" shoot, further shaping his perspective on acting and life.
Irrfan Khan and Shoojit Sircar's collaboration on "Piku" in 2015 was their only film together, but their bond extended beyond their professional relationship. Following Irrfan's passing, Sircar has embraced a role as a mentor and friend to Babil. Sircar has also shared that he feels a sense of protectiveness towards Babil, almost like a father figure, especially since he wasn't able to work with Irrfan more. He also provides practical guidance, such as advising Babil to "clean your room first," instilling discipline and focus. Sircar and Babil also share moments of camaraderie, including playing football together.
Babil described how Sircar helped him cope with social media trolling by encouraging him to focus on simple tasks like cleaning his room, which brought clarity and helped him eliminate unnecessary thoughts. Babil has emphasized that his relationship with Sircar extends beyond professional collaborations; he considers him family, valuing the support and mentorship Sircar provides as he navigates the complexities of the film industry.
Babil is also learning the craft of acting and is trusting his imagination to act, not just react. He feels like "Logout" was like going to acting school for the first time. He recognizes the importance of maintaining authenticity and not becoming overly dependent on external validation.
In a recent interview, Babil shared his belief that actors and celebrities have different roles. He believes that being a celebrity is a different job than being an actor.
Shoojit Sircar has also spoken about his bond with Irrfan and his connection with Babil. He feels a deep sense of responsibility towards Babil, advising him to stay grounded. Sircar noted that Irrfan turned down a role in Ridley Scott's "The Martian" to honor his commitment to Sircar, highlighting the depth of their friendship. Sircar sees his work with Babil in "The Umesh Chronicles" as a continuation of his relationship with Irrfan.
To commemorate Irrfan Khan's fifth death anniversary, "Piku" was re-released in theaters on May 9, marking its 10-year anniversary. Babil shared his excitement about the re-release, viewing it as an opportunity for audiences to experience his father's magic on the big screen once again. He also penned a heartfelt tribute to his father, expressing his love and longing.