Irrfan Khan passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan passed away on Wednesday in Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital after a long battle with cancer.
The actor’s spokesperson said in a statement, “‘I trust I have surrendered’ – These were some of the many words that Irrfan expressed in a heart felt 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. 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 inspired everyone who came close to him. After having been struck by lightning in 2018 with the news of a rare cancer, 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 heaven 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.’”
Also read | Rishi Kapoor dead
Irrfan was admitted to the hospital’s ICU on April 28 following a colon infection. He breathed his last on April 29.
PHOTOS | Irrfan Khan (1967-2020): A pictorial tribute to the versatile actor
The actor was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in 2018 and had been travelling to London for his treatment.
His last Hindi film was Angrezi Medium, which released on March 13 this year. But due to ill health, Irrfan did not promote the film.
Irrfan is survived by wife Sutapa Sikdar and his two children, Babil and Ayan.
The actor tweeted, “So sad that we have lost an actor par excellence and beyond that a lovely person @irrfank .you will always remain in our hearts sir. Strength to the family. RIP.”
Gabriel Macht, the actor who is well-known for playing the lead role in the legal drama Suits, took to Twitter to pay his respects to Irrfan Khan.
Actress Lesley-Ann Brandt, who is known for starring in dramas like Lucifer, took to Twitter to pay her condolences. “#IrrfanKhan such a beautiful artist. His eyes, I always got lost in them. On screen they told so many stories. Rest In Peace. Pensive face,” the post read.
“#ripirfankhan We have lost one India’s finest actor .The films in which he portrayed his character will always be remember.may his soul rest in peace,” tweeted cinematographer and director PC Sreeram.
Rasika Dugal posted on Twitter, "Thank you for sharing your magic with me Irrfan. You allowed me to walk with you into one of the many worlds you so beautifully & seemingly effortlessly, created.Mesmerized, I have never been able to walk away. I always hoped that we would work again... create again....and I would finally find the words to express what I felt about that time. In another universe... ..soon #RIPirrfankhan.”
Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil shared a long statement about the “actor who changed his life”.
Natalie Portman posted a tribute for Irrfan Khan on her Instagram stories. She shared a photo of the two of them along with the words, "Sending love to Irrfan Khan's loved ones today."
Director Vishal Bhardwaj, a long-time collaborator and friend who gave Irrfan Khan’s breakthrough movie with Maqbool, paid his tributes by sharing a happy photo along with a touching poem on Twitter. The photo shows the two old friends sharing a laugh.
Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle told the BBC, "Irrfan was a wonderful actor and a pivotal figure in the making of Slumdog Millionaire. It wasn't a huge role, and in fact on paper it was even less rewarding-looking. But Irrfan saw the possibility of guiding our audience - with his dignity, his grace, his charm, his intelligence and his calmness - through this crossword puzzle of an idea of a film."
In a statement, Saif Ali Khan said, “I have always thought of Irrfan Khan as perhaps the best, most watchable and most natural actor of our times. He was way too young to go. Very very sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children, and family. May god bless his soul.”
Kal Penn, the actor who played the reel-life son of Irrfan Khan on The Namesake paid his tributes on Twitter.
Angelina Jolie spoke to BBC about working with Irrfan Khan. “He stood out for his generosity as an artist, which made it a pleasure to work in any scene with him. I remember the intensity of his commitment, and equally his smile. I send my condolences and my sympathy to his family, his friends, and all admirers of his work, in India and around the world,” she said.
Actor Chris Pratt, who worked with Irrfan Khan in Jurassic World, tweeted, “So sad to hear about the passing of screen legend @irrfank Irrfan Khan played Masrani in Jurassic World. He was an exquisite actor and human. He will be missed.”
Remembering her Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns co-star, Soha Ali Khan said, "I have always thought of Irrfan Khan as perhaps the best, most watchable and most natural actor of our times. He was way too young to go. Very very sad news . My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, children, and family. May god bless his soul."
Randeep Hooda wrote on his Instagram account, "Gone too soon is the inspiration and the entertainment #IrrfanKhan a great loss to cinema and the craft .. may you rest in peace brother"
Actor Ashvini Bhave tweeted, "Heartbreaking to know that Actor #IrrfanKhan is no more! Today we have lost one of the finest Indian Actor!!
In 1994 we worked together in #Purush. May your soul rest in peace. My prayers and deepest condolences to the family."
American actor Mindy Kaling shared an Instagram post where she wrote, 'I’m devastated by the news that the legend, Irrfan Khan, passed away at the age of 53. He was my favorite actor. Irrfan’s performances were defined by his subtlety and sensitivity, he could do more with silence and many actors could do with a two page Sorkin monologue. You watched him onscreen and thought “I know that person!” in any role he played, even if he was being chased around Europe in a Da Vinci Code movie with @tomhanks. He once wrote me to see if we could collaborate on something, and it remains the greatest honor of my career. If you aren’t familiar with his work, please watch Mira Nair’s The Namesake, or Ritesh Batra’s The Lunchbox. You will become a lifelong fan, I promise. I feel robbed of his future performances. My heart goes out to his family.'
Amyra Dastur shared on Instagram, "The first film of yours I had the pleasure of watching was “The Namesake” and I became an ardent fan of yours.
I began searching for all your other movies, watched so many of your interviews and looked forward to every release of yours. You inspired me with every single performance and you proved true beauty lies in talent and not looks. Thank you sir for shattering that glass ceiling. Thank you for ‘Paan Singh Tomar’, ‘Haasil’, ‘Piku’, ‘Maqbool’ and my all time favourite, ‘The Lunchbox’. I know for certain your work will keep inspiring every actor and you will always be known as one of the WORLD’s finest actors. RIP Sir and know that you were, have and will always be a class apart"
Juhi Chawla shared on Instagram, "You are now free Irrfan! Free from all pain and suffering ....! I'm fortunate to have crossed paths with such a phenomenal actor, we worked together in his debut film ' 7½ Phere '. There was something about his quiet presence . An effortless actor,the characters he portrayed were so real they made their way straight to your heart ! I wish we had had a chance to work together some more ... but we always part to meet again. Will keep his family in my prayers"
Suyyash Rai shared on Instagram, “Maa se milne beta na jaaye aisa ho nai sakta...??? “ ? my heart aches while I type this, when everything in the world is so depressing anyway ... We wake up to this news !!! We lost a LEGEND today !!! His voice , his way to delivering dialogues, his eyes , have grown up seeing his master performances , the man who took our industry, cinema to another level has left us today . U left us too soon sir , but I am sure ul be in a better place with ur Ammi :’) !!! I dunno how many of you know this but Irfans sirs mom left the world 4 days back and because of the lockdown he coulnt go to Jaipur and see her for the last time ?...We will always alwayssss love u and miss u sir...sorry we could not give u a farewell which u deserved ??? Thankyou for everything . May you rest in PEACE ! May the almighty be with your family ???? #weloveyouirfankhan #ripirfankhan"
Patralekhaa shared on Instagram, "The audiences will always long for your presence in the movies.There will always be a hollowness in our hearts.The barometer of great performances will always be measured with yours, that’s how high you set the meter with you performances. Will always miss you and you will always live in our hearts. RIP Sir.. #Legend #Irrfankhan"
R Sarath Kumar shared on Twitter, "A versatile & extraordinary actor who excelled in every character. His demise is a great loss not only to us in the Indian film industry but a loss to world cinema. My deep condolences to his family, his fans & the film industry. #RIPIrrfanKhan"
Rohit Roy shared on Twitter, "A warning usually prepares you for the inevitable.. dulls the pain even.. strangely, not in this case. Hadn’t even been in touch with him so much for the last couple years still feels weird not to be able to bid him a final farewell .. Thank you @rajkundra9 and @actormaddy for the con call!!! It was much much needed. Unreal times, these.."
Nawazuddin Siddiqui shared on Twitter, "In d year 2000 a film directed by #IrrfanKhan named ALVIDA starred me & I ws lucky 2 hv my mentor as my co-star in many films. No 1 wil evr b able 2 fill his space in d entire world of cinema. Never thot in d worst of my dreams, dat wil hv 2 say “ALVIDA” so soon RIP #IrrfanKhan"
Bobby Deol shared on Instagram, "You will be missed #Irfan ... you were an awesome person and I am glad that I got the chance of working with you ... the memories we shared during our work days together are some of my most cherished ... may god give strength to Sutapa, Babil and ayan ... #RIP"
Director Ritesh Batra shared on Twitter, "The light in our lives is gone, and everything feels dimmer without Irrfan. Thank you @irrfank, for your big heart and your friendship. I hope that there is another side, and we will meet there again someday."
Adil Hussain shared on Twitter, "Never knew that his death would make me so very Sad. Felt like a punch in my heart. We only met a few times. It was his portrayals of roles which gave me a window to his Vulnerability and Beauty that he possessed. Deep Empathy he evoked in me. Please rest well Irrfan. Deep Love."
(Photo: Varinder Chawla)
Katrina Kaif shared on Twitter, "RIP . a irreplaceable loss ... a true genius ..... will be greatly missed .... can never forget our laughs during New York"
Shruti Haasan shared on Twitter, "Thank you for your artistry, magic and light. Thankyou for being you .we will miss you I pray that you found all that you looked for here and I wish you the most beautiful onward journey .."
Radhika Madan shared on Instagram, "I dont know what to say... my heart aches when i write this. He was one of the strongest people i knew, a fighter. I am really grateful that our paths crossed in this lifetime. He is and will always be an inspiration to me and many.A legend. The man who changed the wave of the indian film industry.May his soul rest in peace. Love you irrfan sir. It was a privilege knowing you"
Hardik Pandya shared on Twitter, "RIP #IrrfanKhan .. a true icon and Bollywood legend. We'll miss you sir."
"Gone too soon .. too far .. leaving behind an inspiring body of work. Saddening indeed .. Sincere condolences to family. #IrrfanKhan #RestInPeace," shared Rahul Dev on Twitter.
Arshad Warsi shared on Twitter, "I just can’t believe Irfan is no more. Industry has lost a great actor and I have lost a dear friend.... RIP Irfan ... Khuda Hafiz..."
Bejoy Nambiar shared on Twitter, "#IrrfanKhan sir - Your legacy will be cherished and you will be missed a LOT ! The movies are never gonna be the same without you. Thank you for the movies , thank you for the inspiration, thank you for all the lovely conversations ! Love u Sir !"
(Photo: Varinder Chawla)
(Photo: Varinder Chawla)
Farhan Akhtar shared on Instagram, "Always wanted to collaborate with him but unfortunately never got the opportunity.. thank you for the wonderful memories.. be they on screen or the times we got a chance to catch up. RIP Irrfan .. #gonetoosoon"
(Photo: Varinder Chawla)