Actor Ibrahim Ali Khan has candidly discussed the lessons learned from the lukewarm reception to his debut film *Nadaaniyan*, admitting he may have rushed into his Bollywood career without adequate preparation.
In a revealing interview with Esquire India, the 23-year-old actor acknowledged entering the film industry with a confident "ho jaayega" (it will happen) attitude, despite working diligently on his craft. "I am not saying I took my chance for granted, but I stepped into the industry like, 'Ho jaayega'. Of course, I was working very hard—like I'm still working hard on my speech issue. But in a way, I feel I must have rushed into that movie," Ibrahim admitted.
The actor noted that he began shooting for his debut at age 21, considerably younger than many of his peers who typically enter the industry at 26, 27, or 28. "I now think I could have been more mindful of the scale of what was going to happen," he reflected.
Ibrahim made his acting debut with *Nadaaniyan*, which premiered on Netflix in March. Directed by debutant Shauna Gautam, the film featured an ensemble cast including Mahima Chaudhry, Suniel Shetty, Dia Mirza, and Jugal Hansraj. However, the movie received predominantly negative reviews, earning a dismal 12% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Four months later, Ibrahim appeared in *Sarzameen* alongside Kajol and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The Kayoze Irani-directed film, also released directly on OTT platforms, was similarly panned by critics. Reviewers criticized Ibrahim for appearing "raw and unprepared" in both performances, marking a challenging first year in the industry.
Despite these setbacks, Ibrahim draws strength from his illustrious film lineage. The son of actors Saif Ali Khan and Amrita Singh, and grandson of legendary actress Sharmila Tagore, he views his family heritage as both inspiration and responsibility during moments of self-doubt.
"I usually always have self-doubt. Whenever I feel unsure, all this (lineage) is a reminder of who's at home. 'You're Saif Ali Khan's kid. Bebo's (stepmom Kareena Kapoor) in your family. You should be able to do it. You should be smashing it, man,'" he explained, revealing how his family's achievements motivate him to improve.
Ibrahim will next appear in the sports drama *Diler*, co-starring Sreeleela. Directed by Kunal Deshmukh, the film reportedly follows the journey of a marathon runner. While no official release date has been announced, *Diler* is expected to hit screens sometime in 2026, giving Ibrahim another opportunity to prove himself after his difficult debut year.
The actor's honest acknowledgment of his early career missteps and commitment to improvement has been viewed positively by industry observers, who appreciate his willingness to learn from criticism rather than deflect it.
