Most debutants are compared to their peers, but Babil Khan will have a tougher road. The youngster, who is set to make his Bollywood debut with Qala this year, will inevitably be compared to his late actor-father Irrfan. Many may argue that with the pressure, comes the privilege of being a star kid. But Qala producer Karnesh Ssharma reveals that the actor earned a place in Anvita Dutt’s directorial venture on merit.

“Until Babil was signed on, we didn’t know he was Irrfan’s son. He got the film on pure merit. After Anvita auditioned him, she called and told me that she has found Jagan [his character]. I saw his tape, and we called him the next day. Only when he came for the reading with the casting director, did he tell us who his father was,” recounts the producer.

The Netflix mother-daughter drama sees Khan share screen space with Tripti Dimri. It won’t be easy for him to step out of Irrfan’s shadow looming large over him. But Ssharma hopes that the audience gives him a fair chance.

“He is a talented actor, raw and unusual. Don’t put unnecessary pressure on him; let him express himself. It is obvious for people to compare him with his legendary father. He is Babil, and he will get there in time.”