What does Babil Khan’s Breakdown Reveal? He Needs Support, Not Lip Service Tweets
It has been a rough 24 hours for Babil Khan. The 26-year-old returned to Instagram shortly after a widely publicised meltdown on the platform, where he called Bollywood “fake” and described some of his contemporaries as “rude.”
The actor has now clarified that his comments about Ananya Panday, Siddhant Chaturvedi, Arjun Kapoor, Raghav Juyal, and Shanaya Kapoor were misconstrued. “I was trying to show my support to the aforementioned names. The video was extremely misinterpreted,” he said. “I don’t have the energy to indulge more, but I do this as a responsibility to my peers I genuinely admire.”
Interestingly, the actors he named came out in support of him, even as trolls accused him of orchestrating a publicity stunt to promote his recent cyber-thriller Logout, which failed to gain traction online.
Was this a cry for help?
Babil, who has spoken openly about his struggles with panic disorders and anxiety, reflected on the toll of living up to a projected image. “I saw how people perceived me as different, and I got addicted to it. I thought it was a reflection of who I really am. But it was just an image built on others’ opinions.”
His episode echoes a recent moment involving music composer Amaal Mallik, who publicly announced he had severed ties with his family, including his brother Armaan Malik — only to reconcile with them within hours.
“People are now forming emotional relationships with the algorithms of social media,” says a publicist. “Seeking validation from nameless, faceless users is becoming an epidemic. The pressure to conform, to be seen, to be praised — it’s taking a toll.”
The publicist adds, “In the film industry especially, your social currency defines your brand value — and unfortunately, your self-worth. The loneliness, the scrutiny, and comparisons with peers or siblings who may be doing better can be overwhelming. In many cases, this pushes young talent toward harmful coping mechanisms, including substance use.”
Though a growing number of young actors have spoken openly about mental health and normalised seeking therapy, the subject remains taboo. Sources close to Babil say he experienced an acute anxiety attack but is now doing better.
Just days earlier, he had posted a heartfelt message remembering his father, Irrfan Khan, on his death anniversary, April 29.
Maybe, as Irrfan Khan’s son entering the industry, his expectations were different. But the reality is, in the film industry, one is as successful as their last hit!
