Pakistan, India and the World Mourn Irrfan Khan’s Demise
Bollywood legend Irrfan Khan's demise has left the world stunned.
Saba Qamar, Sonam Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan and Ava DuVernay are among those paying tribute.
The actor not only had an outstanding career in Bollywood but also made his way to Hollywood, leading to international acclaim for his charm and acting skills, which were a class apart.
He had been admitted to the intensive care unit of Mumbai’s Kokilaben hospital last night with a colon infection and on Wednesday morning a statement was released confirming his death.
In just minutes after the news of his passing circulated, people from all over the world took to Twitter to share condolences, what the star meant to them and look back on memories they will cherish forever: Said Saba Qamar, Pakistan TV and film artist: Deeply disturbed to hear about the passing of Irrfan Khan. It feels like yesterday coming back from the sets of Hindi Medium. You taught me a lot as an actor and a mentor. Such a brilliant actor gone too soon. I'm at a loss for words.
The Los Angeles Times reported: Irrfan Khan, a veteran character actor in Bollywood movies and one of India’s most well-known exports to Hollywood, has died. He was 54.
Khan died Wednesday after being admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital due to a colon infection, his spokesperson said.
“Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him,” a statement released by the actor’s team read.
Khan made his screen debut in the Academy Award-nominated 1988 drama “Salaam Bombay!”, a tale of Mumbai’s street children.
The acclaimed actor was also involved in blockbusters such as “Slumdog Millionaire,” which was nominated for 10 Academy Awards in 2009. He portrayed the park executive Masrani in “Jurassic World” and also appeared in “The Amazing Spider-Man” and the adventure fantasy “Life of Pi.”
He worked with directors like Mira Nair, Wes Anderson and Ang Lee.
The actor in 2018 had been diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine cancer and underwent months of treatment in Britain.
“I trust, I have surrendered,” Khan wrote in a heartfelt note after he broke the news of his battle with cancer.
Khan won a number of film awards in India, including a 2012 Indian National Film Award for best actor for his performance in “Paan Singh Tomar,” a compelling tale of a seven-time national champion athlete who quit India’s armed forces to rule the Chambal ravines in central India.
Khan received an Independent Spirit Award for supporting actor in 2006 Indian-American drama “The Namesake” and a viewers’ choice award at the Cannes Film Festival 2013 for his role in Indian romantic drama “The Lunchbox.”
Tributes came from Bollywood, including from Amitabh Bachchan, who said Khan was an “incredible talent” and “a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema.”
Khan “left us too soon,” Bachchan wrote on Twitter.
In an interview with The Associated Press in 2018, Khan said: “I’ve seen life from a completely different angle. You sit down and you see the other side and that’s fascinating. I’m engaged on a journey.”
Khan’s last Bollywood movie, “Angrezi Medium,” a sequel to one of his biggest hits, 2017’s “Hindi Medium,” was released before India went into a lockdown in March because of the coronavirus crisis.
He is survived by his wife, television writer and producer Sutapa Sikdar, and sons, Babil and Ayan.
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