The actor was admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital due to a colon infection, his spokesperson had confirmed..!
News of Khan’s death was also confirmed by the director and close friend of Khan’s Shoojit Sircar.
Irrfan Khan was one of the Indian cinema’s Most Versatile, Respected & Finest actors and among its most successful exports to Hollywood.
A veteran of nearly 80 films, he almost gave up acting in his 30s – after an unrewarding decade in TV soaps. Khan lacked the looks for a traditional Bollywood romantic lead but made his name as a character actor in Hindi cinema and in Hollywood productions like Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire and Jurassic World.
Indian National Award-winning actor and cancer warrior Irrfan Khan, whose films are a masterclass in splendid seamless acting, died in Mumbai after battling a medical complication arising from colon infection.
The actor was diagnosed with a rare illness in 2018. In 2018, the actor posted on Twitter to say that he was diagnosed with an endocrine tumor, a rare illness affecting cells that release hormones into the bloodstream.
He was 53 and is survived by his wife Sutapa Sikdar and two sons Babil and Ayan.
Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan, known internationally for roles in Slumdog Millionaire, Life of PI and Jurassic World.
“‘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,” Khan’s spokesperson stated.
“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’,” the spokesperson added.
“My dear friend Irfaan. You fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of you. We shall meet again,” said Sircar, saluting Khan on social media.
They both worked together in the Bollywood blockbuster ‘Piku’. He also mentioned that his wife Suthapa Sikdar found alongside her husband.
Khan, who spent most of 2018 and 2019 battling high-grade neuroendocrine tumor in London, is one of India’s finest actors who understood the syntax and grammar of Hollywood films.
The Indian National School Of Drama graduate was last seen in director Homi Adjania’s Angrezi Medium, a heart-warming father-daughter tale in March this year. But the film couldn’t enjoy an uninterrupted screening at the cinemas world-wide because of the coronavirus outbreak that led to the closure of cinemas. Even though his last film wasn’t allowed to blossom, Khan who has appeared in over 100 Hindi films has charted a fruitful career filled with cinematic gems.
He later underwent treatment in a London hospital.
Two months after he went public with his diagnosis, he wrote an open letter about his experience with cancer treatment, reflecting on the “intensity” of his pain and the “uncertainty” of life.
It drew a massive outpouring of support from his fans around the world.
The statement released by his PR company confirming his death said, “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”.
He had been admitted to the hospital with a colon infection.
Bollywood stars and politicians have rushed to pay tribute to him on social media.
“An incredible talent… a gracious colleague… a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema… left us too soon… creating a huge vacuum,” superstar actor Amitabh Bachchan who worked with him in Piku tweeted.
Actor Raveena Tandon tweeted that he was a “fantastic co-star, an actor par excellence, and a beautiful human being”.
The top four trends on Twitter in India are all relating to his death, with a much-paying tribute to his talent.
Khan was known for his nuanced and understated performances, with many calling him one of India’s most talented actors.
In 2013, he won India’s National Film Award for his leading role in Paan Singh Tomar, a biopic about a top athlete who becomes a bandit.
He also acted in several Bollywood hits, including Lunchbox, Piku, and Hindi Medium. His latest, Angrezi Medium, was released just last month.
