Irrfan Khan the wide-eyed actor best known for his roles in films like Jurassic Work, ‘Life in a Pie’ ‘Hindi Medium’, and ‘Maqbool’ passed away at the age of 54. Bollywood mourns over the loss of this versatile actor.
The actor had been unwell for a long time and been admitted to an intensive care unit of Mumbai’s Kokilaben hospital after being diagnosed with a kidney infection.
News of the death of the actor was shared on Twitter by filmmaker Shoojit Sircar.
https://twitter.com/ShoojitSircar/status/1255377784773410818
The actor’s family released a statement, “‘I trust I have surrendered”.
These were some of the many words that Irrfan expressed in a heartfelt note he wrote in 2018 opening up about his fight with cancer.
He was a man of few words and an actor of silent expressions with his deep eyes and his memorable actions on screen.
It’s saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away.
“Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always motivated everyone who came close to him.
After having been diagnosed by rare cancer in 2018, he took life soon after as it came and he fought the many battles that came with it.
Surrounded by his love, his family for whom he most cared about, he left for heavenly abode, leaving behind truly a legacy of his own.
We all pray and hope that he is at peace. And to resonate and part with his words, he had said, ‘As if I was tasting life for the first time, the magical side of it.’”
He previously announced that he had been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor in 2018 and underwent extensive treatment in London.
He improved well enough to shoot “Angrezi Medium,” which would turn out to be his last film.
The release of this film was abruptly cut short due to the spread of coronavirus pandemic in March.
His last film’s business was impacted due to the lockdown and it was eventually released on an OTT platform.
Carrier and Achievements
He started his carrier with TV then he made his film debut in 1988 with Mira Nair’s Oscar-nominated film “Salaam Bombay.”
Then he returned to Indian television for the next decade.
His major breakthrough in the Indian film industry was in 2004 where he played Macbeth in Vishal Bharadwaj’s “Maqbool”.
Then the role of an antagonist in Tigmanshu Dhulia’s “Haasil” was also a hit.
In 2013 he won India’s National Award in the category of best actor for his turn as a soldier-turned-bandit in “Paan Singh Tomar”.
He won the Indian Padmasheri award in 2011.
Irrfan was also globally recognized for most visible performances in films like ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, ‘Inferno’, ‘Life of Pi’, The Namesake,” “Jurassic World,” and “The Amazing Spider-Man”
In a carrier spanning 30 years, he acted in more than 50 Indian films.
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Reactions of fellow celebrities
Many fellow actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Karan Johar, Priyanka Chopra, Saba Qamar, and many more offer condolences.
T 3516 – .. just getting news of the passing of Irfaan Khan .. this is a most disturbing and sad news .. 🙏
An incredible talent .. a gracious colleague .. a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema .. left us too soon .. creating a huge vacuum ..
Prayers and duas 🙏— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) April 29, 2020
Big loss to the film industry, his fans, all of us n specially his family. My heart goes out to his family. May God give them strength.
Rest in peace brother u shall always be missed n be in all our hearts.. pic.twitter.com/KFQ1RoC1H8— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) April 29, 2020
Prime Minister Modi tweeted.
Irrfan Khan’s demise is a loss to the world of cinema and theatre. He will be remembered for his versatile performances across different mediums. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2020
Ex-president of India Pranab Mukherjee tweeted that I conferred him the National award for Best Actor in 2013.
My condolences on the tragic & untimely death of Shri Irrfan Khan.Even as all expected him to successfully beat disease,he has gone causing an irreplaceable loss to Cinema & Performing Arts.I conferred the National Award for Best Actor(2013) on him for his movie Paan Singh Tomar. pic.twitter.com/QdyiaXzNPw
— Pranab Mukherjee (@CitiznMukherjee) April 29, 2020
King of Bollywood Shahrukh Khan pays tribute to a friend via tweet.
My friend…inspiration & the greatest actor of our times. Allah bless your soul Irrfan bhai…will miss you as much as cherish the fact that you were part of our lives.
“पैमाना कहे है कोई, मैखाना कहे है दुनिया तेरी आँखों को भी, क्या क्या ना कहे है” Love u pic.twitter.com/yOVoCete4A— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 29, 2020
His co-actress in Hindi Medium Saba Qamar condolences via tweet.
Deeply disturbed to hear about the passing of Irrfan Khan. It feels like yesterday coming back from the sets of Hindi Medium. You taught me a lot as an actor and a mentor. Such a brilliant actor gone too soon. I'm at a loss for words.
RIP Raj 💔
Yours Only, Meeta 🌸#IrrfanKhan pic.twitter.com/FaDx1dznFA— Saba Qamar (@s_qamarzaman) April 29, 2020
His mother died in Jaipur three days ago and he had to witness the funeral remotely via video link.
He was in Mumbai and couldn’t attend the funeral due to the ongoing coronavirus lockdown in India.
Irrfan is survived by his wife Sutapa and two sons Babil and Ayan.
He will forever live in our hearts through his movies. May his soul rests in eternal Peace!
