Irrfan Khan was one of the finest actors of Bollywood. The actor’s demise was mourned all across the globe by cinema lovers and his friends. He was 53 years old and fighting the battle with neuroendocrine tumor from the past two years. He was not just a great actor he made he fans in awe by his realness oozing out of his character. He not just left his imprint in Bollywood but was a well-known actor in Hollywood as well. He took his last breath in KokilaBen Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai on 28th Aril, 2020. The legendary actor’s demise has sent the nation into hysteria. The news of his death was shared on Twitter by filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, a well-known face in Bollywood and a close friend of Irrfan Khan. The actor’s representatives shared the news with a statement, “‘I trust, I have surrendered,’ these were the some of the many words that Irrfan expressed in a heartfelt note he wrote in 2018 opening up about his fight with cancer. And a man of few words and an actor of silent expressions with his deep eyes and his memorable actions on screen. Many people shared the condole scene and shared their beautiful memories of Irrfan khan which showed that he was a kind-hearted, generous, and gracious man.
Irrfan khan has brilliantly performed in many films and the list is endless. A critics’ favorite, he was seen in films like Haasil, Maqbool, Paan Singh Tomar, The Lunchbox, Piku, Talvar to name a few. His latest film Angrezi Medium was recently released digitally and gained wide success. Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire, etc are the Hollywood film he gave a fantastic performance. 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’. The famous critic Komal Nahta also tweeted, “What was being feared has happened. Irrfan Khan, one of the finest actors of our time, has bid the world goodbye. RIP, dear Irrfan Bhai.” Here are some interesting facts about the star you must know.
- Actor by Chance
Irrfan khan wanted to be a cricketer but his family disapproved of it. He joined a theatre group in Jaipur where he was pursuing his Post graduation and later got a scholarship In the National School of Drama. Her mother asked him to complete his graduation first to get into acting. And he lied about having past theatre experience to get in NSD. By all means, it was a ‘good lie’ and we have had one of the best actors in Bollywood.
- Vegetarianism
Though he belonged to a Pathan family he was vegetarian. His family used to make fun out of it by saying that a Brahmin born into the Pathan family. He also spoke against the animal sacrifice on Bakra-Eid.
- When he was ready to change his religion
In February 1995, Khan married writer and fellow NSD graduate Sutapa Sikdar. They had two sons Babil and Ayan. To marry Sutapa Irrfan was ready to change his religion but fortunately, their family accepted them without the barrier of inter-religion marriage.
- Struggling days in Mumbai
When Irrfan first arrived in Mumbai, he worked as an air-conditioner repairman. Reportedly, it is even said that one of the first houses he visited for the repairing services was that of legendary actor, Rajesh Khanna.
- From Small Screen to Big Screen
While he started his career from Bollywood film Salaam Bombay, directed by Mira Nair he also worked in small screen and played the role of Lenin on a serial “Laal Ghaas Par Neele Ghode: telecasted on Doordarshan and also cast as a psycho killer, the main antagonist of the show in the serial Darr.
- The story of Irrfan with Rr.
His actual name was sahibzaade Irrfan Ali Khan and born in Pathan Ancestry in Rajasthan. In 2012 he changed his first name from Irfan to ‘Irrfan’ as he said that he liked the sound of extra R in his name. Later he dropped his surname “khan” as per the interview in 2016 he mentioned that he wanted his work to define him and not his lineage.
- Padma Shri Awardee:
Irrfan Khan was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor, in 2011 for his contributions to the Indian film industry.
- LunchBox:
Lunchbox is the only Indian movie to have ever won a Toronto Film Critics Association Award (TFCA). His acting and the movie have been praised across the globe.
- Condolence from the Jurassic World:
Irrfan Khan is the only Bollywood actor who got condolence from the twitter handle of the Jurassic world. They have written, “The #JurassicWorld family honors the incredible @irrfank”
- Condolence from Oscar
Irrfan is one of the few actors of Bollywood who received their official statement on his demise. Taking to Twitter the Academy wrote, “A mainstay of Bollywood cinema and incredible talent in films like “Slumdog Millionaire,” “Life of Pi” and “The Namesake,” Irrfan Khan left his imprint on global cinema. An inspiration to millions, he will be greatly missed (sic).”
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