Priyanka Chopra's message helped Ibrahim Ali Khan feel motivated after 'Nadaaniyan's failure

Bollywood’s new entrant Ibrahim Ali Khan may have been born into stardom, but his journey into films hasn’t been without bumps. In a recent candid interview, the young actor opened up about his debut film Nadaaniyan, the harsh criticism that followed, and the lessons he’s already begun to learn from the experience.

Ibrahim shared that acting wasn’t always a set path for him. “As a child, I loved going to film sets with my dad, it felt like such a magical world,” he revealed. But it was only in high school that the idea of acting turned serious for him. “Everyone expected me to be an actor, but I had to feel it for myself.”

Nadaaniyan, a Netflix rom-com opposite Khushi Kapoor, marked his big launch. However, the film didn’t receive the warm welcome Ibrahim may have hoped for. Both critics and audiences had mixed reactions, and being a star kid added extra scrutiny. “I knew backlash was inevitable,” he admitted. “I saw what Sara, Janhvi, and Ananya went through. Nepotism isn’t new, but the environment had changed. Still, I didn’t expect it to hit so hard.”

Reflecting on the response to his debut, Ibrahim didn’t shy away from admitting he has room to grow. “People keep saying ‘It’s just your first film,’ but that doesn’t make it okay,” he said. “I wanted to start strong. I can see where I could’ve improved, and I have to get better.”

One of his biggest sources of guidance has been his father, Saif. “He told me this isn’t the early 2000s anymore. You can’t just show up and expect success. The script and director are everything now,” Ibrahim shared.

Amidst the criticism, there was also a moment of encouragement that stood out. Bollywood icon Priyanka Chopra messaged him after watching Nadaaniyan. “she watched the film and thinks I have a bright future,” he shared. She said I have to hold my head high and keep grinding, and that I must grow a thick skin.

With a grounded mindset and big names backing him, Ibrahim Ali Khan seems ready to bounce back stronger.