Priyanka Chopra, Freida Pinto remember their association with Slumdog Millionaire star who was India’s best known international actor
Agencies
BOLLYWOOD: Bollywood greats and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are paying tributes to actor Irrfan Khan whose death from colon infection at the age of 53 on Wednesday shocked the film fraternity and audiences around the world. He was diagnosed with a rare cancer three years ago.
In a brilliant career spanning over 30 years, Irrfan Khan was one of the few Bollywood actors to make transition to the world cinema, delivering memorable roles in films such as Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire, Ang Lee’s Life of Pi, Colin Trevorrow’s Jurassic World, Mira Nair’s The Namesake and Asif Kapadia’s The Warrior.
Passing out from Delhi’s National School of Drama in 1984, Irrfan started his acting career in television in 1985 with Pravin Nischol’s TV serial Shrikant telecast on Doordarshan.
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After acting in various TV serials such as Bharat Ek Khoj and Banegi Apni Baat, he got his first film role in Mira Nair’s 1988 film Salaam Bombay. The film was nominated for an Academy Award.
Ironically, Irrfan’s mother Saeeda Begum had died only four days ago in Jaipur at the age of 92.
Born at Tonk near Jaipur, Irrfan was one of her three children. He met his wife Sutapa Sikdar at the National School of Drama. The couple have two sons. Interestingly, Irrfan did his MA in Urdu from Jaipur.
Paying tributes to the versatile actor, his Slumdog Millionaire so-star Freida Pinto said, “This one has hit me hard. A VOID that can NEVER be filled because there was simply no one like Irrfan Khan. His grace and dignity along with his monumental talent as an artist, actor – a portrayer of humanity in all it’s shapes and forms made me not only have deep admiration for him but I instinctively wanted to emulate that grace in my career as well.”
Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan, who worked with him in Piku, tweeted, “This is a most disturbing and sad news … an incredible talent … a gracious colleague … a prolific contributor to the world of cinema … left us too soon … creating a huge vacuum … prayers and duas.”.
Bollywood’s king Shah Rukh Khan said, “My friend…inspiration & the greatest actor of our times. Allah bless your soul Irrfan bhai…will miss you as much as cherish the fact that you were part of our lives.”
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Priyanka Chopra remembered Irrfan, tweeting, “The charisma you brought to everything you did was pure magic. Your talent forged the way for so many in so many avenues.. You inspired so many of us. You will truly be missed. Condolences to the family.”
The legendary actor Aamir Khan said, “Very sad to hear about our dear colleague Irrfan. How tragic and sad. Such a wonderful talent. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. Thank you Irrfan for all the joy you have brought to our lives through your work. You will be fondly remembered. Love.”
Bollywood super star Salman Khan, who is stuck at his Pavel farmhouse since the lockdown, joined in paying tributes to the actor. “Big loss to the film industry, his fans, all of us and specially his family. My heart goes out to his family. May God give them strength. Rest in peace brother… u shall always be missed n be in all our hearts,” Salman tweeted.
Actress Shabana Azmi said she was “deeply saddened to learn about Irrfan Khan’s passing away. I last met him in London with his wife Sutapa and their son. He seemed in good spirits and I could tell that he was able to put up such a valiant fight against the illness because his two most precious people were by his side. This is not unfair! He is gone too soon ..Irrfan will be missed by the entire Film Industry. It is doubly sad that we cannot be with his family in their grief because of the lockdown. My heartfelt condolences to the family .Didn’t really get to know him because I had two very brief scenes in Jazbaa and in Ek Docor Ki Maut he was very new . But I remember noticing that he was good.”
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Former Miss Universe and actress Sushmita Sen said, “We all loved him…A celebrated life with immense talent deeply heartbreaking to lose this peaceful warrior. Rest in peace Irrfan Khan. My Condolences to the family & all his loved ones.”
Asif Kapadia, the British director who introduced Irrfan Khan to western audiences through his existential drama The Warrior, tweeted, “Love you Irrfan Bhai.” Set in the feudal-era Rajasthan, The Warrior went to win a BAFTA for best British film.
Indian Prime Narendra Modi joined in paying condolences, saying, “Irrfan Khan’s demise is a loss to the world of cinema and theatre. He will be remembered for his versatile performances across different mediums. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.”
Not only a great loss to the film industry for losing a rare talent like Irfan Khan, but the fans are saddened too. He was the best of our time. My entire family was his fan. Very heart-breaking!! Rest in peace!