His debut movie Nadaaniyan opened to blended evaluations. Okay, he was trolled for many half. Smartest thing is he’s not in denial. He acknowledges the criticism and tries to make sense of it. He accepts that he was uncooked in his first movie and has miles to go. He received’t draw back from speaking about nepotism both or about his privileges… on being Saif Ali Khan’s son. He isn’t a fan of social media, proper now. He has causes. However he’s vowed that he’ll flip the tables sooner or later, work laborious and are available up smelling roses. He has his objectives fairly clear.
Inform him that he needn’t be disheartened by all of the trolling and he grins. Inform him that he’s higher than his dad was in his debut movie Aashiq Awara and the grin widens. In that second he’s so endearing like a child who’s acquired his favorite sweet. Sure, Ibrahim Ali Khan is extraordinarily lovable off display screen and equally likeable on it. Trolls be damned. So we’re sitting in the lounge of his fifth ground residence. And he’s regaling us with tales from his childhood, talks about his dad, his legendary grandmother Sharmila Tagore. However his eyes shine like twin bulbs when he talks about his mom Amrita Singh and sister Sara Ali Khan. Because the shadows lengthen outdoors, he talks freely, his nervousness forgotten…Excerpts:
What’s your frame of mind like proper now?
It retains fluctuating. Proper now. I’m just a little nervous. It’s my first interview. On the identical time, I’m feeling nice. I simply wish to be higher, work tougher. I’m in an incredible area, really.
How would you evaluation Nadaaniyan?
Individuals go into the movie with very excessive expectations of what it needs to be. It was to not be some grand movie. It was meant to be a candy, breezy rom-com that you need to take pleasure in on a Friday evening, chilling in mattress. Social media is a hateful world, proper now. They tried to twist it quite a bit. Certain, as a lead actor, I’ve to usher in masses greater than what I did. I do know I can carry it and I’m assured that I’ll carry it in my future initiatives. However I’m proud of what it was. I labored with hardworking folks and we made a candy movie. I get the criticism however I loved engaged on it. It was meant to be candy and breezy. I’d say it’s good.
How would you evaluation your self?
There’s at all times scope to do higher, be higher. However the place I’m proper now, I’m joyful.
What number of stars would you give your self?
Out of 5 stars? I don’t know. A 3? Yeah, three, three level 5. Don’t fly too excessive however don’t diss your self both.
The film opened to blended evaluations. How have you ever taken within the positives and the negatives which have come?
I’ve seen the blended evaluations on social media, they do fry your brains a bit. Clearly, most of them are dangerous as a result of that’s simply how social media works. However I’m glad that lots of people can see what I might be able to carry to the desk. I’m proud of the response I acquired from the movie trade. I’m fairly happy.
Do you suppose it was essential to tackle the Pakistani journalist?
I do know I shouldn’t have reacted however I’m additionally new to public scrutiny. When he made that non-public remark about my physique, it felt like a below-the-belt comment. However going ahead, I’ll be extra composed. I shouldn’t have reacted. It received’t occur once more.
Do you suppose Nadaaniyan is the proper debut for you?
I labored with KJo sir (Karan Johar) on Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani. I like him and I respect him a lot. He has given me such a very good platform. He believed in me when nobody else did. He’s sort of been my information on this trade. And an incredible information as properly. Sure, I did desire a business, grand, theatre mein seeti marne wala launch. However these days, possibly theatres will not be the way in which they was once. In 2025, the director and the script are the kings. I genuinely consider that we received’t get stars like Ranbir Kapoor, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Aamir Khan once more. That period of actors is gone. It simply doesn’t work the way it used to work within the ’80s and within the ’90s, when these guys would simply stand in entrance of the digital camera and the flicks could be a success. Individuals would go loopy over these stars. These days, it’s laborious to do this. Nobody generally is a star like that. Sadly, I can’t say that I’m a star. I’m no one. My work wants to talk for me. I just like the idea of being an actor and doing good work, which in 2025 is essential. Unhealthy script, a nasty film labored if it had a preferred star. It doesn’t work like that anymore.
Do you suppose you guys have it just a little harder in comparison with the sooner stars?
After all. As a result of there was no social media then. Issues had been simpler then. When you ask all these star youngsters, as you name them, they are going to most likely suppose earlier than they offer a solution. I don’t must suppose earlier than I say, sure, we do have it tougher.
Actually?
Nepotism has been there. It’s been there by means of the ages. However these days, it’s extra of a factor. I’m Saif Ali Khan’s son. However this has been taking place for years. Perhaps it’s simply social media. I don’t know. We’ve got it tougher for positive. At the moment it’s harder to trick the viewers. They’ve turn into good now. They’re not going to pay and go to theatres and see a nasty film, particularly once they can watch the film
at dwelling.
That’s true…
Earlier there was no social media. You wouldn’t see stars in public. There was restricted publicity to Hollywood. The viewers would go to the theatres and they might die to see all these stars. I wish to be like that. I take pleasure in being on the market as properly. However I wish to be like Ranbir Kapoor. He’s not on social media. He’s sort of low-key. Saif Ali Khan, my beloved father… he’s additionally like that. He’s by himself at dwelling. He’s an excellent cool man doing his work, not on social media. These guys aren’t on the market, nobody can get to them. And that’s what makes them so fascinating. We wish to attain them, however we will’t. Now, I can’t even go away the gymnasium in peace. I’m getting clicked leaving the gymnasium. You get photographed all over the place. All of them know us precisely for who we’re, how we’re. And that’s another reason as to why now we have it tougher than earlier stars.
What’s your tackle nepotism? There’s a lot discuss on nepo youngsters. You suppose this type of evaluation that you just’ve acquired can be since you’re Saif Ali Khan’s son?
Sure, typically I really feel that. (Chuckles). My entire life, I assumed, how will I reply this query in my first interview. And I’ve are available in with no preparation. After all, due to who we’re and the background we’re from, we are going to get the platform. However having stated that, you need to, to some extent, be good. To some extent, you could have one thing in you to get that platform. Sure, I’m part of this. Saif Ali Khan is my father, Sara Ali Khan is my sister and Sharmila Tagore is my grandmother. Amrita Singh is my mom… Generally, I really feel like my take is just not related…As a result of we come from all of this, we’ll get the platform simply. However from there, you need to take it ahead. I get this debate. I get it. However hey, it’s not my fault that I’m Saif’s son. I’m seeking to simply work laborious and be the very best model of me that I will be. Simply because I’m this child, I’m not gonna run away someplace. I’m not gonna conceal. I’m this child and I’m right here and I wish to do properly. However as I stated, I get it. We’ve got the platform. So what we will do is be grateful to have that platform and keep true to who we’re and work tougher and be higher.
Is there stress to reside as much as your loved ones title?
No. I simply wanna match up and make them proud and make them joyful and provides them again what they’ve given me. Perhaps a bit extra. Sure, after all, there are expectations that I’ve to match. They’ve performed very well. They’ve labored laborious and so they’re massive, massive names.
I’m positive they don’t count on something of you, proper?
No, no. I’m their small child. However I wish to do it for them. I’m positive they wish to see me do properly too. However no, there’s no
stress.
You do realise you’re going to be in comparison with your father all of your life?
All my life.
And the way in which you look…You’re a carbon copy of Saif. Are you ready for this comparability?
I take it in my stride as a result of he’s a handsome man. And I don’t suppose it would occur all my life. My purpose is to do some good work by 30, and turn into my very own title. (Grins) Really, I do have my very own title at this level and my very own face. You really suppose I’m going to cry about the truth that I’ve acquired his face? Completely not. And I’m so proud that he’s who he’s and that I’m his son.
A few of the critics really felt that you just had been higher in your first movie than he was in his first movie.
Oh. Thanks. However I’m not going to be like, yeah, I’m higher than him. Clearly not. I maintain seeing a reel on social media the place they’re evaluating us. It’s me from my first movie and so they’re evaluating it to Saif Ali Khan from Hum Tum. He received the Nationwide Award in that film. You’ll be able to’t examine that to that. They’re anticipating me to be like him in Hum Tum in my first movie! You understand what? Even I needed to be like that in my first movie. That’s the bar I ought to increase for myself. But when it’s not gonna occur, then that’s okay. You’ll be able to’t simply examine me to love my dad in his peak prime. I don’t suppose it’s his attractiveness that made him the celebrity that he’s. I believe it’s the roles he’s performed. He is an outstanding actor. Certainly I will need to have inherited a little bit of that from him. I can’t wait to only work tougher and do some nice work and share that with the world as a result of I do know I’ve it in me.
What’s your equation like with him? Is he a strict father or is he the good dad on this planet?
He’s the good. He’s chill, easy-going. However every time one thing unsuitable occurs, then clearly he can get fairly strict. In any other case, he’s chill. However not like my mother. She’s my entire world. She takes care of me. No matter I’m, I owe
it to her solely.
She’s obsessive about you?
She pampers me. She praises me. She humbles me. She does the whole lot.
What’s the sort of recommendation she offers you?
From the small issues, like, don’t drink out of plastic as a result of plastic bottles will not be good, to what I ought to eat. And in case you sleep late, what is going to occur? this can occur, then this can occur, then that can occur. You title it and she or he’ll advise me.
Is she strict with you?
No. She lets me have my very own area. She’s raised me to be an incredible boy. No, she’s not strict. However in case you do unsuitable, then
you already know what is going to occur. She does air issues.
What was it like rising up in a household steeped in films?
So, I see Jehangir and Taimur. And part of me does really feel dangerous for them. Taimur, who’s simply turning eight years previous, is attempting to go away the home and he’s getting clicked by the media. And Jeh, who’s simply four-five years previous, he’s additionally getting clicked. And once they’re at dwelling, they’re taking part in on their iPhones and iPads on the age of eight and 4. These items weren’t there after we had been rising up. These days, it’s normalised that each one these eight 12 months olds are taking part in video games on the iPad. However that’s not the way it was once. We used to exit and play. I believe I belong to the final technology who had a traditional childhood. We acquired saved as a result of in my childhood, we didn’t have smartphones, good TV, OTT, iPhones or iPads. The paparazzi doesn’t even let these youngsters breathe. It was solely after I turned 18, that
I confronted the paparazzi. I’m so grateful that I acquired to have a traditional childhood. A traditional childhood, in my view, is just not having these screens, not figuring out what the world is pondering, what the world has to say.
As a toddler, I consider you have to be raised in a protected and comfy surroundings. Kids are supposed to really feel that they’re in a protected surroundings. They’re meant to really feel just like the world is small. However I really feel due to all this easy accessibility, paparazzi, tradition, screens, iPad, YouTube and all of that, these youngsters already understand how large our world is. I’m simply grateful that I wasn’t within the limelight or I wasn’t already identified after I was 4 or 5.
You had been additionally identified.
Perhaps I used to be identified. Prefer it was identified that Saif Ali Khan has a son. However you couldn’t get to me. You possibly can not wait outdoors my home and click on a photograph of me if I had been leaving for my Judo class. However I get it. Taimur is a star, I imply what a good-looking youthful brother I’ve. Go click on him all you need.
When did you realise your dad and mom had been well-known?
I don’t know. I can’t keep in mind. Although my dad at all times made it clear that we’re well-known. And my mother at all times made me really feel like she’s only a candy, city Punjabi mom. My mom is a Punjabi mother. So I’m really fairly Punjabi additionally. Or possibly not. I don’t know. No matter I’m. I’m loopy. That’s due to her. She’s raised two loopy folks. Me and my sister, Sara Ali Khan. She’s additionally fairly loopy. It’s not like we fake that we’re loopy. We’re fairly loopy.
Did it change something in you once you realised your dad and mom had been well-known?
I don’t know. I used to be fairly younger after I realised that they’re well-known. I keep in mind I used to be like seven or eight years previous. My dad was taking pictures for Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal within the UK. What a film! And I used to be like, wow. Deepika Padukone. That’s after I had my first crush ever. I used to be so small and I used to be obsessed together with her. I used to be like I wish to see Deepika. And that’s after I realised my dad is an enormous actor. Deepika Padukone is doing a film with him.
Did you’re feeling privileged?
Sure. And I’m extraordinarily grateful for the way in which issues had been and the way they’ve turned out to be. My mother has raised me to be a traditional and candy child. Regardless of that, to grasp that you just’re privileged is an efficient factor. To understand that I’m privileged is vital. And I’m grateful.
What are these behind-the-scenes moments in your childhood that made you fall in love with the flicks?
After I went to the UK to see my dad shoot, or when my mother was taking pictures for Kkavyanjali in Rajasthan. That was the primary time I noticed how films are made. I stayed with the crew. I believe I used to be six years previous then. And I used to drink tea with the spot boys. I referred to as it taking pictures ka chai and would have five-six cups a day. My mother could be in search of me and her spot boy would inform her the place I used to be. Then she’d come and drag me away, saying, what are you doing consuming a lot chai on the set. That’s one reminiscence I’ve. I additionally noticed Sara shoot for Kedarnath. I’ve grown up watching folks round me work on a set. How chilly it may be, how sizzling it may be. There’s a scent, you already know, on a film set. After I walked in for my first day of shoot and smelt that set, I stated to myself, you already know this scent. You’re moving into one thing you wish to do for the remainder of your life. That was cool. There’s one thing concerning the scent of a set. Then in 2012, Pupil Of The Yr launched. And all of the folks of my age, older to me or youthful to me, anybody who needed to be an actor needed to do a film like that. Varun Dhawan is phenomenal. I watched Primary Tera Hero after Pupil Of The Yr and thought, that is the sort of hero I wish to be. And Ranbir Kapoor, my favorite actor.
What was the primary day of shoot for you?
Really, the primary day of shoot I ever did was for a film that’s not out but. It was with an exceptional actress, Kajol, and a celebrity within the South, Prithviraj. Working with Prithviraj was life-changing. Such a cool man, what a star. I fell in love with the South trade. There’s one thing actually intriguing about it. I wish to do a film there however who will do it with me? I hope somebody will. Prithviraj is a powerhouse.
I learnt quite a bit by observing him. And Kajol is phenomenal. My first day was nerve-wracking.
You could have been nervous…
I used to be very very nervous.
How did you overcome that?
I didn’t suppose an excessive amount of about it. I’ve to develop, work tougher and be higher. There’s much more I can do by engaged on my craft. However I’m in a very good area, trying ahead to my future films, hoping to make a mark as an actor.
Did you realise you had discovered your calling on the primary day?
Yeah. That is my calling. That is what I needed to do for the remainder of my life. Despite the fact that social media is a really hateful world these days.
What was essentially the most troublesome a part of the primary day shoot?
Every thing was troublesome. From the way in which I used to be cueing, to saying my strains, to how I needed to look, the place I needed to look, the whole lot. However that’s how all of us begin. However as a result of I labored as an AD for 2 years, I really knew rather a lot about making films. You’ll be able to’t go in entrance of the digital camera and say, okay, I do know what to do. As a result of when that digital camera activates and there are 200 folks round you and also you hear “Roll digital camera, Motion!” then it’s simply you and that second. What occurs within the second, you your self don’t know. And when these folks say, “wow, what a very good shot,” I don’t know how I did it. That’s what I wish to do. I wish to give the shot and be like, “Wow, man, how did I try this?” That hasn’t occurred but. It’s not like I’ve given some banging pictures wherever. However that’s the purpose.
Has your grandmother seen your movie? What did she must say to you?
She noticed it. Like we had been speaking earlier about how it’s powerful now than it was earlier. I’m positive my dad has his personal views on how he discovered it laborious being my grandmother’s child. And my grandmother was an enormous title. She was a really massive celebrity. So my dad had that stress. And I believe my grandmother noticed him not doing so properly in his first few films. So it’s one thing that she already is aware of. It’s like one thing she’s already been by means of. And what have I really performed proper now? Yeah, high-quality. I’ve acquired one film on the market. However what does that even imply? She thinks I’ve it in me and that’s all I must know.
That’s all of the validation you want.
Precisely. I do know she sees me in the long term. She will see it. She sees it’s a protracted recreation. It’s not that I simply wish to give one massive hit film? Then what?
Does your grandma mollycoddle you?
No. She’s a correct lady. However she has the softest spot for me out of all of those folks. My grandmother is iconic.
.What sort of relationship do you share together with your sister, Sara Ali Khan? Does she bully you?
Sara is usually my finest buddy, typically my companion in crime. She is usually like my mother, typically like my dad. She doesn’t simply have a twin position on this home; she has a quadruple position. However truthfully, I can’t image myself with out her. She’s been the very best sister ever. It’s really good that she’s a woman and I’m a boy. She’s a bit older and I’m a bit youthful. We’ve got a clean relationship. She makes me develop, makes me wish to be higher. She’s there for me in my nice occasions and in my dangerous occasions.
Does she advise you?
What sort of recommendation would she give me? (Laughs) She does give recommendation. She’ll learn a script or one thing and be like, you need to do that, you need to try this. That sort of recommendation. In any other case, what recommendation do you give to a sibling? I don’t know.
Would you take heed to her recommendation?
Really, she’s my greatest supply of inspiration. She was once, um… sorry for saying this, a bit massive. However then, my sister, I like her, she labored so laborious, misplaced all that weight, and reworked herself. She’s wonderful. The best way she has received all these awards, the way in which she carried herself—it’s inspiring. She’s positively somebody to look as much as.
Can we speak about a sure Miss Palak Tiwari?
She’s a very good buddy. Yeah, she’s candy. That’s all.
Okay. Inform us about Ibrahim as an individual. What’s he like when he’s not being royalty, when he’s not being a film insider?
(Laughs) Royalty? Film insider? Truthfully, I’m only a chill man. I wish to chill out on the sofa, play FIFA, Name of Obligation, Trackmania—mainly, heavy PlayStation 5 classes. Chilly espresso, hanging out with my canine, chilling with a number of mates… that’s my vibe. I play numerous PlayStation.
I assumed by 24, I’d cease, however right here we’re. It’s enjoyable, so why not?
What makes you offended?
I’m a relaxed individual… Simply joking! I can have a little bit of a brief fuse however I’m engaged on it. It’s not like I randomly lose it, however yeah, if I’m in a nasty temper or one thing, then possibly.
What will get you going, leaping out of the mattress with pleasure?
I don’t begin my mornings with espresso. I drink it after my first meal. However what will get me going within the morning is simply waking up and telling myself, It is a nice day, and it’s yet another step nearer to the place I wish to be. Then I hit the gymnasium, get shifting and get on with my day. I get up figuring out I’m sooner or later nearer to one thing nice, even when I don’t know precisely what it’s but.
Additionally Learn: Soha Ali Khan Has A Priceless Advice For Nephew Ibrahim Ali Khan After Nadaaniyan’s Reviews
