On the solemn commemoration of Irrfan Khan’s birth anniversary, an opportunity arises to delve into the personal dynamics between the late celebrated actor and his family. Babil Khan, who is establishing his own foothold in the Indian entertainment industry, has candidly shared insights that unveil his mother Sutapa Sikdar’s prominent role as a grounded critic in Irrfan’s life, adding a fresh perspective on the actor’s storied career.
Babil Khan’s recent endeavors have cast him into the public eye, cultivating a base of support reminiscent of his father’s legacy. With Yash Raj Films’ “The Railway Men” marking his latest venture, Babil has embraced the challenging role of a former Union Carbide India Limited employee now working for the Indian Railways. However, the weight of his nascent career is buoyed by the rich inspiration of his parents’ relationship and his mother’s influence on his legendary father.
During Babil’s promotions for his earlier performances, a notable interview with Humans of Bombay brought to light Sutapa Sikdar’s rigorous and exacting standards as a critic of Irrfan’s performances. Babil recounted a telling incident, “My mom is very critical. Like, when she saw papa’s ‘Paan Singh Tomar’, she had 17 pages of criticism. So, I can’t stay in the room where mom is watching my film.” This meticulous scrutiny spoke volumes of the invigorating force that Sutapa was in honing Irrfan’s craft to the pinnacle of authenticity and excellence.
When probed about Sutapa’s reaction to his own screen debut in “Qala,” Babil conveyed her laconic but potent feedback, “’You did good for the first time.’ That’s all she said.” Brief, yet encouraging – a testament to a mother’s subtle method of nurturing talent.
Babil’s reflections also turned towards the nature of his parents’ bond. “My definition of love is to surrender to the innate equality of me and you. My parents were the bestest friends in the world,” he mused. Growing up, he sensed more of an intellectual and respect-rich camaraderie than overt displays of affection, yet this served as the bedrock of a nurturing environment that esteemed mutual respect above all.
At the IIFA 2023 red carpet, Babil vocalized his initial trepidation over his mother’s judgment of “Qala.” His nerves stemmed from knowing Sutapa’s history of unsparing critiques towards Irrfan, who held himself in high esteem post performances, only to be swiftly grounded by his wife’s expert eye. Indeed, Sutapa’s appraisals were instrumental in forging Irrfan’s path as an actor. Her measured approval of Babil’s maiden effort was, for him, a source of motivation to strive for improvement in the craft.
The young actor’s filmography, albeit brief, with “Qala,” “Friday Night Plan,” and the acclaim for “The Railway Men,” points towards a burgeoning career influenced heavily by his parents’ teachings and traits. Just three projects in, Babil’s professional journey is viewed through the lens of his father’s enormous legacy, but it is his mother’s rigorous critical standards that likely chart the course of his ongoing development as an actor.
A celebration of Irrfan Khan’s birth anniversary thus evolves into an intimate glimpse of the personal lives of an iconic figure in cinema and those who carry his legacy forward. Babil’s revelations paint a portrait of a family where artistry and criticism collaborate, love and respect intertwine, and the echoes of an illustrious past empower the narratives of the future.
