While India continues to fight its way through the pandemic, a piece of heart-wrenching news shook the Indian entertainment industry when Irrfan Khan’s death was confirmed by his spokesperson on Wednesday morning. Irrfan, 53, who was one of India’s finest actors, was fighting for his life against cancer before he took his last breath at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai.
It was indeed heart-breaking news for the entire film industry upon losing the highly-rated actor. Khan was always praised for donning a variety of roles during his acting career. His journey up the ranks was an epitome of hard work and dedication paying off at the biggest stage.
A day before his death, he was admitted to ICU at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. His spokesperson confirmed the news of his death.
“‘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,” Khan’s spokesperson stated.
He was a father to his two sons, Babil and Ayan Khan, living together with his wife Sutapa Sikdar in Mumbai. Irrfan last acted in a Hindi movie titled ‘Angrezi Medium’ where he was seen playing the role of a father to a teenage girl.
He was always a man of few words and was characterized by his quality of doing justice to the roles offered to him during his tenure as an actor. He was one of the few Indian actors whose work was highly appreciated overseas in the Hollywood industry. The late actor was also conferred with the Padma Shri award in 2011 for his contributions to the Indian cinema. He even won the National Award for one of his all-time hits ‘Paan Singh Tomar’ in 2013.
While the news of his untimely death came in as a shock for the entire country, some of the Indian players took to the social media to express their grief upon this loss:
Here’s how the Indian cricket community reacted upon Irrfan’s death:
Saddened to hear about the passing of Irrfan Khan. What a phenomenal talent and dearly touched everyone’s heart with his versatility. May god give peace to his soul ?
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) April 29, 2020
I know the journey I know the pain and I know he fought till the end some are lucky to survive some don’t I’m sure you are in a better place now Irfan Khan my condolence to your family. May his soul rip
— Yuvraj Singh (@YUVSTRONG12) April 29, 2020
Saddened to hear the passing away of #IrfanKhan. Condolences to the entire family. An actor of great caliber! You will be cherished by us until eternity. RIP. pic.twitter.com/wLTWUz8w6Z
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) April 29, 2020
Sad to hear the news of #IrrfanKhan passing away. He was one of my favorites & I’ve watched almost all his films, the last one being Angrezi Medium. Acting came so effortlessly to him, he was just terrific.
May his soul Rest In Peace. ??
Condolences to his loved ones.pic.twitter.com/gaLHCTSbUh
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 29, 2020
Like Om Puri, Irrfan Khan too was a global star with stardom & success achieved only through their brilliant acting skills. Both not with us anymore. How sad is that…#RIPIrrfanKhan
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) April 29, 2020
Lunchbox, Namesake, Slumdog Millionaire, Life of Pi. Some of my favorites.
What an actor. Gone too soon!
May God give his friends and family the strength through these difficult times. #IrrfanKhan #RestInPeace pic.twitter.com/9c3JEtjT89
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) April 29, 2020
Oh My God….one of my favourite actors of modern times is no more. The untimely passing of Irrfan Khan is shocking and deeply saddening. May His Soul Rest In Peace. Went away way too soon. Heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones.
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) April 29, 2020
Extremely saddened to hear about the demise of #IrfanKhan. He was truly an actor with immense talent & high caliber. He will be missed badly. My heartfelt condolences to the family. #ripirfankhan pic.twitter.com/kXe7FfNvuP
— Suresh Raina?? (@ImRaina) April 29, 2020
In grief on reading of the passing of #IrrfanKhan. So much energy, so much intensity taken away so soon. My heartfelt condolences to Sutapa and the children. His work lives forever.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) April 29, 2020
A great actor and a great talent. Heartfelt
Condolences to his family and well – wishers #IrfanKhan— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) April 29, 2020
RIP #IrrfanKhan ?
— Ashwin ?? (@ashwinravi99) April 29, 2020
