Highlights
- Irrfan Khan was an alumnus of India’s acclaimed National School of Drama.
- He was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in March 2018.
- Has won several accolades in India and abroad.
One of India’s finest actors, Irrfan Khan has died after a two-year battle with neuroendocrine tumour.
Indian media reports the actor was admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on Tuesday, where was under observation for colon infection.
“My dear friend Irfaan. You fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of you.. we shall meet again,” filmmaker Shoojit Sircar wrote on Twitter confirming his death.
Condolences poured in on Twitter, with many expressing shock and heartbreak at the award-winning actor’s death.
Indian actors (R-L) Dev Patel, Anil Kapoor, Freida Pinto, Irrfan Khan, Madhur Mittal pose on the red carpet for the 81st Academy Awards Source: Getty Images
Irrfan started his career in television where he acted in numerous television serials including Chanakya, Bharat Ek Khoj, Sara Jahan Hamara, Banegi Apni Baat, Chandrakanta, Shrikant among many more.
Acclaimed director Mira Nair cast him in a small role in Salaam Bombay, giving him his first break, but the role was chopped on the editing table.
He later got his big break in Aasif Kapadia’s The Warrior.
Over the years, Irrfan went onto do some remarkable films which include Maqbool, Paan Singh Tomar, Life in a Metro, The Lunchbox, Haider, Piku, Talvar and Hindi Medium.
The versatile actor went onto become one of India’s most celebrated face in Hollywood.
From Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire to Mira Nair’s The Namesake, Irrfan delivered some memorable performances in films such as The Life of Pi, The Mighty Heart, Inferno and Jurassic World.
Irrfan was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in March 2018 and travelled to London for treatment.
Director Ron Howard, actor Tom Hanks and Irrfan Khan attends the "Inferno" red carpet at Marina Bay Sands on June 14, 2016 in Singapore. Source: Getty Images North America
His last film was Angrezi Medium, and during promotions, the actor said the only choice he had was to remain positive.
“One doesn’t have any other choice but to remain positive. Whether you are able to make lemonade in such situations is entirely up to you. We’ve made this film with the same sort of positivity. I hope this film is able to make you laugh and cry in equal measure,” he said in his message to his fans.
In a career spanning over three decades, Irrfan acted in over 50 Indian films and has won several accolades including a National award and four Filmfare awards in India.
Irrfan Khan attends the premiere of "The Lunchbox" during the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival Source: Photo by Peter Bregg/WireImage
In 2011, Irrfan was honoured with one of the highest civilian awards, the Padma Shri by the Indian government of India for his significant contribution to arts and cinema.
The actor is survived by his wife and two sons.
