Tigmanshu Dhulia remembers Irrfan Khan on Friendship Day: ‘I have no friend left now’

On Friendship Day, Tigmanshu Dhulia opened up about his bond with late actor Irrfan Khan and how he was his only friend.

Irrfan Khan (left) and Tigmanshu Dhulia worked together in Paan Singh Tomar and Haasil. (Photo: Express Archives)

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There are a number of friendships in the film industry that have gone on to set examples for the world. One such bond was between Tigamanshu Dhuia and late actor, Irrfan Khan. On Sunday, as the world celebrates Friendship Day, Tigmanshu remembered Irrfan, calling him his ‘only friend’.

The actor-filmmaker, in a chat with Hindustan Times, shared that he joined the National School of Drama in 1986 and Irrfan was in his third year then. Sharing that they just happened to strike a close bond, he shared “Apni jodi bass bann gayi, and we both grew in our personal and professional lives together.”

Irrfan died in April 2020 after battling cancer for a couple of years. Remembering how Irrfan had once said that Tigmanshu was his most special and only friend, the director said that he too feels he doesn’t have any friends anymore.

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“Mera bhi koi dost ab bacha nahin hai… He was the only one jo meri saari galtiyon aur kamzoriyon ko jaanta tha (I do not have any friends now. He was the one who knew all my shortcomings and weaknesses). He knew all my plus and minus points. In front of him, I could just be myself. Now, when he has left us, it’s not an age when you make new friends,” he shared.

Also Read | Tigmanshu Dhulia recalls when he would ‘roam in the jungles’ with Irrfan, decodes late actor’s ‘unpredictable’ performances

Tigmanshu Dhulia and Irrfan have worked together on the 1995 TV serial Naya Daur. Irrfan has also starred in Dhulia’s directorial debut Haasil and then the National Award-winning Paan Singh Tomar and Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns.

Sharing how Irrfan could see through him, Tigmanhshu further said, “He used to catch my mistakes at once. He had the ability to peep inside me and say everything to my face. Uske saamne main kuch lambi-lambi haank nahin paata tha… Par ab apni kamzoriyon ko chupaate hi rahunga as I can’t share with anyone (I could never show off in front of him, now I can’t talk about my weakness with anyone).”

Also Read | Friendship Day 2023: Bollywood’s friendship 2.0, from Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol to Suhana Khan-Ananya Panday

Earlier, Tigmanshu Dhulia had also spoken about how his growth slowed down after the departure of Irrfan. “As an artist, he would push me to grow more. Meri growth kum ho gayi hai jab se woh gaya hai (My growth has slowed down since he has left us). That’s the biggest problem. He has left us, what can we do about it? But what do I do?” he told PTI.

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