Actor Babil Khan has opened up about his childhood Diwali celebrations, sharing warm memories of the festival that centred on home-cooked sweets, playful chaos with friends, and the magnetic presence of his late father, celebrated actor Irrfan Khan. Speaking about how the festival has changed for him over the years, Babil described a noticeable shift from sensory-rich childhood joy to quiet, intimate adult celebrations.

Childhood Diwali: Chaos, Sweets and Baba's Stories

Babil recalled growing up with a version of Diwali that was alive with noise and warmth. 'Growing up, Diwali had this chaotic, childlike magic — the smell of home-cooked sweets taking over the whole house days in advance, running around with friends, trying to negotiate how many sweet treats we could eat before dinner, and watching Baba effortlessly light up the entire room with his humor and stories,' he said.

The word 'Baba' — his affectionate term for Irrfan Khan, who passed away in April 2020 — surfaces naturally in Babil's recollection, underscoring how central his father was to the family's festive rituals. Irrfan Khan, widely regarded as one of India's finest actors, was known off-screen as well for his wit and storytelling.

How Diwali Has Evolved for Babil Today

Babil said his experience of the festival today is markedly different — quieter and more reflective. 'The external noise has dialed down, and the internal warmth has taken centre stage. It's less about sensory overwhelm and much more about creating a safe, serene space at home where close friends and family can just kick off their shoes, sit on the rug, listen to good music, share meals, and talk until the early hours of the morning,' he explained.

The evolution he describes — from the exuberant celebrations of childhood to the considered intimacy of adulthood — carries an unspoken weight, given the absence of his father from those quieter gatherings.

Babil Khan's Acting Career So Far

Babil entered the film industry not as an actor but as a camera assistant on the Bollywood film Qarib Qarib Single. He made his acting debut in 2022 with director Anvita Dutt's psychological drama Qala, appearing alongside Triptii Dimri.

In 2023, he played the son of Juhi Chawla's character in Friday Night Plan, and later featured in the web series The Railway Men — a dramatisation of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy — sharing screen space with Divyendu Sharma, Kay Kay Menon, and R. Madhavan.

In May 2025, Babil deleted his Instagram profile after sharing — and subsequently removing — a video in which he appeared visibly distressed. The episode drew significant public attention and concern from fans.

What This Moment Reflects

Babil's Diwali recollections arrive at a time when he is still early in his career and navigating public life under the considerable shadow of his father's legacy. His candour about grief, memory and changing celebrations resonates with a generation that has grown up redefining what festivity means in a post-pandemic, more introspective cultural moment. As his filmography grows, moments like these offer audiences a fuller picture of the person behind the performances.