Babil Khan may carry one of the most revered surnames in Indian cinema, but the young actor is steadily building his own path – one thoughtful role at a time. The son of the late Irrfan Khan, Babil made a striking debut with Qala, and now returns with Logout, a Zee5 Global original that dives into the disorienting grip of the digital age.
Released on 18 April, Logout is a psychological thriller that unpacks themes of identity, validation, and disconnection in an online-obsessed world. Ahead of the release, Babil spoke candidly to Asian Sunday & Style about his choices as an artist, his relationship with legacy, and what it truly means to ‘log out’.
Logout explores the chaos of the digital world — what drew you to this script, and how does it resonate with your own experiences growing up in the age of social media?
When I auditioned for Logout, I wasn’t in a place where I could be choosy. I had no work out there. I don’t even think Pushan sir [Pushan Kripalani, the director] knew who I was. It was a straightforward audition. They liked it — or maybe they just liked who I am.
Initially, I was excited by how much screen time I had, so early in my career. But as I began to research and reflect, I saw the film’s deeper layers. It became about something far more personal — the struggle to maintain individuality in a world constantly trying to make you conform. That really hit home for me. The character’s soul resonated deeply. That’s when I truly became passionate about the project.
Your character is navigating the digital noise — what’s one ‘real’ message you hope audiences take away from this film?
I’m not trying to preach. The moment you assign a message, you narrow the film’s meaning. Everyone brings their own perspective. My acting coach saw it as a comment on social media addiction. For me, it was about the journey from seeking external validation to discovering self-worth. That’s what art should do — let people find their own truth in it.
Was there a moment during filming Logout that made you reflect on your own digital habits?
Not particularly. I’ve never really been hooked on digital life — and that’s thanks to my upbringing. But to play someone immersed in that world, I had to study it. Pushan sir once told me that every character starts with imitation. You begin by living like them in your inner world.
What really connected me to the character wasn’t his digital dependence, but his emotional journey. I believe that anyone, anywhere, can relate to someone else’s pain if they’re honest about their own. A lot of our judgements are just projections of what we refuse to face in ourselves.
You’re often asked about stepping out of your father’s shadow — with Logout, do you feel you’re carving your own path?
Honestly, I’ve never said I wanted to step out of his shadow — people just keep asking me about it. In my private world, I don’t see it as a shadow at all. That idea is just ego talking — saying “what about me?”.
Legacy isn’t a burden to escape. It’s a beam of light if you choose to see it that way. It’s about growth, not competition.
How do you personally strike the balance between being ‘Irrfan Khan’s son’ and just Babil, the artist?
I don’t try to strike a balance. I just work. If a thought comes up — the kind that says “what about you?” — I acknowledge it and let it pass. I don’t feed it. The moment you stop indulging those voices, they lose their power. You’re free to just be.
Your performances are often emotionally raw — how do you prepare for such intense roles?
I don’t need to prepare emotionally — I’m already emotional. At our screening, someone asked what I was thinking during a crying scene. I wasn’t thinking anything. I could cry right now, if you want.
It’s not about manufacturing emotion. It’s about being honest with yourself — accepting all parts of you, even the bits you don’t like. That’s when the emotions flow. That’s where authenticity comes from.
You’re seen as part of a new wave of introspective, socially aware actors — is that intentional or just where your interests lie?
I wouldn’t label myself anything. I don’t even call myself an actor. I’m just a human being who acts sometimes. I try to be playful, light-hearted, and open to the full range of experiences life throws at me.
Logout asks big questions about connection and online personas — how do you stay grounded?
I don’t really think about being grounded. What does that even mean? I just try not to take myself too seriously. We often build these identities to help us survive, but that instinct doesn’t always serve us anymore. We need to shift from survival to creation. That’s where real freedom lies.
If you could log out of one thing in society right now, what would it be?
Myself. The pressure I put on myself, the way I take myself so seriously. That’s a journey I’m on — logging out of ego, identity, and the need for acceptance. It takes time, but I’m learning to accept that process.
And what’s one thing you never ‘log out’ from — emotionally or literally?
Scuba diving. Music. And loyalty — to the people close to me. Those are things I hold onto, no matter what.
What does success look like to Babil Khan?
Peace. Not joy, not sorrow, not acclaim — just peace. Being at peace with who I am and whatever I’m feeling in the moment — that, to me, is real success.
