IRRFAN KHAN, India’s exceptional actor, is no more

IRRFAN Khan, the versatile actor, known for his work predominantly in Hindi cinema, as well as his works in British films and Hollywood, has passed away in a Mumbai hospital. The popular actor in Modern Bollywood Classics was 54. He is survived by wife Sutapa Sikdar, Bollywood dialogue and screenplay writer, and two sons. The actor was admitted to  Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital on Tuesday, April 28 following colon infection, his spokesperson confirmed. The actor was ailing ever since he was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor and had been under medical attention. Irrfan acted in more than 100 films including Bollywood hits Piku, Maqbool, Haasil, and Paan Singh Tomar. His English language films included Life Of Pi, Jurassic World, Slumdog Millionaire, and The Amazing Spider-Man. Shekhar Kapur says he was an actor that every director wanted to work with. A human being that gave his best in every role. Indian film’s most successful export to Hollywood. A man loved by all. Sad to see Irrfan Khan leave us, after what we thought he was successfully fighting against cancer, he said. An official statement issued by his spokesperson said in Mumbai said ‘’ 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. 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 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 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”. I trust I have surrendered”. His latest movie titled ANGREJI MEDIUM  released a few days before theatres were shut following nationwide lockdown necessitated by the COVID -19  outbreak could not complete the scheduled run. The film stars Radhika Madan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Deepak Dobriyal, and Dimple Kapadia in pivotal roles with Irrfan.

Irrfan Khan,  mourning the demise of his mother Saeeda Begum in Jaipur, was put in ICCU as he needed immediate medical attention.  0wing to the ongoing lockdown, the actor could not physically attend his mother’s last rites and reportedly paid his last respect through video conferencing. Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan was born to a Pashto speaking Muslim family in Jaipur. Khan’s mother, Begum Khan, was from the Tonk Hakim family and his father, Jagirdar Khan, from the Khajuriya village near the Tonk district, ran a tire business. The Khan family name comes from Turkish and Mongol languages and means “king” or great leader. Descendants of Ghengis Khan (13th century) in central Asia adopted Islam and became the Moghuls, who conquered India for several centuries until British rule. Irfan, who was a skilled cricket player, was selected for the CK Nayudu Tournament. He, however, had to skip it for lack of funds compelling him to be focused on acting. In 1984, he obtained a scholarship to learn acting in the National School of Acting located in Delhi. In a career spanning over 30 years, Irrfan  Khan received National Film Award and Filmfare Awards in four categories and Padma Shree, the fourth national civilian award given by the Government of India, says his personal website. (@edited by chakravartypk)