Babil Khan joins Malayalam film 'Gandhi Bazar Sunday Market', shoots in Siliguri
Synopsis
Irrfan Khan's son Babil Khan is making his Malayalam debut in 'Gandhi Bazar Sunday Market', directed by Babu Janardhanan and shot in Siliguri. For an actor who began as a camera assistant and has steadily built a reputation for emotionally demanding roles, this crossover signals a deliberate push toward cinema that prizes depth over spectacle.
Key Takeaways
Babil Khan has begun shooting for 'Gandhi Bazar Sunday Market' , his Malayalam debut, in Siliguri .
The film is directed by Babu Janardhanan and features an ensemble cast including Aparna Balamurali , Deepak Parambol , and Johny Antony .
Babil, 27 , is the son of late actor Irrfan Khan and made his acting debut in 2022 with Qala .
His previous credits include Friday Night Plan ( 2023 ) and the web series The Railway Men , based on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy .
In May 2025 , Babil briefly deleted his Instagram after sharing a distressing video, drawing public concern.
Actor Babil Khan has begun shooting for his Malayalam debut, 'Gandhi Bazar Sunday Market', in Siliguri, marking a significant crossover from Bollywood to one of India's most critically acclaimed regional film industries. The 27-year-old actor, son of the late Irrfan Khan, said the move is one he approaches with deep gratitude and creative anticipation.
What Babil Said About the Film
'Malayalam cinema has always held a very special place in my heart because of the honesty, sensitivity, and emotional depth with which stories are told,' Babil said. He added that growth as an actor comes from 'stepping into the unknown and surrendering yourself completely to a new world, new people, and new emotions.'
On the shoot beginning in Siliguri, he described the experience as 'incredibly exciting, emotional, and creatively fulfilling.' He said the film gives him the opportunity to evolve 'not just as an actor, but also as a person.'
The Film and Its Cast
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Babu Janardhanan, 'Gandhi Bazar Sunday Market' brings together a formidable ensemble. The cast includes Aparna Balamurali, Deepak Parambol, Nikhil Nair, Johny Antony, Jagadish, Sudheer Karamana, Athmiya Rajan, and Jayashankar. Notably, the shoot is based in Siliguri, West Bengal, rather than Kerala — an unusual choice that suggests the story may be set outside the Malayalam heartland.
Babil Khan's Career So Far
Babil started out as a camera assistant on the Bollywood production Qarib Qarib Single before transitioning to acting. He made his debut in 2022 with director Anvita Dutt's psychological drama Qala, alongside Triptii Dimri. In 2023, he appeared in Friday Night Plan, playing the son of Juhi Chawla's character, and subsequently featured in the web series The Railway Men — a dramatisation of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy — alongside Divyendu Sharma, Kay Kay Menon, and R. Madhavan.
Personal Moment That Drew Attention
In May 2025, Babil drew widespread concern after he deleted his Instagram profile, following a video he had shared — and later removed — in which he appeared visibly distressed. The episode underlined the public interest that surrounds the young actor, who continues to navigate both professional ambition and personal scrutiny in equal measure.
With 'Gandhi Bazar Sunday Market' now in production, Babil's Malayalam debut is poised to be one of the more closely watched crossover projects of the year.
Point of View
Character-driven work — over a commercial crossover vehicle suggests he is prioritising craft over visibility. That matters for an actor still building an identity distinct from his father's towering legacy. Whether Malayalam audiences, who are notoriously discerning, receive him on his own terms will be the real test of this debut.
NationPress
11 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 'Gandhi Bazar Sunday Market' and who is directing it?
'Gandhi Bazar Sunday Market' is a Malayalam film directed by Babu Janardhanan. It is currently being shot in Siliguri and features an ensemble cast that includes Aparna Balamurali, Deepak Parambol, Johny Antony, and Jagadish, among others.
Why is Babil Khan's Malayalam debut significant?
It marks Babil Khan's first foray into Malayalam cinema, widely regarded as one of India's most critically rigorous film industries. For an actor who has built his early career on emotionally complex Hindi-language projects, the crossover represents a deliberate push toward performance-driven storytelling.
What are Babil Khan's previous acting credits?
Babil Khan debuted with the 2022 psychological drama Qala, directed by Anvita Dutt. He subsequently appeared in Friday Night Plan (2023) and the web series The Railway Men, which dramatised the Bhopal Gas Tragedy alongside R. Madhavan, Kay Kay Menon, and Divyendu Sharma.
Who is Babil Khan's father?
Babil Khan is the son of the late Irrfan Khan, one of India's most celebrated actors known internationally for films such as Life of Pi and Slumdog Millionaire. Irrfan Khan passed away in April 2020.
What happened with Babil Khan's Instagram in May 2025?
In May 2025, Babil Khan deleted his Instagram profile after sharing — and then removing — a video in which he appeared visibly upset and in tears. The incident drew widespread public concern and media attention.
