By Arré Bench Apr. 29, 2020
Irrfan Khan, one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors, passed away on Wednesday, after a long battle with cancer. His death has left Bollywood and all of India heartbroken.
Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan has died at the age of 54, after being admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he was under observation for colon infection. The actor had been undergoing a long and painful battle with neuroendocrine tumour, which he announced to the world in 2018. He is survived by his wife Sutapa and sons, Babil and Ayan.
“Irffan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired anyone who came close to him… 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,” the actor’s family said in a statement announcing his demise.
RIP #IrrfanKhan.
All your fans and the Indian cinema will deeply miss you 💔💐 pic.twitter.com/107NspVcHD— ETimes (@etimes) April 29, 2020
The news of the Khan’s death has left the industry and his fans heartbroken. Tributes poured in for one of India’s most versatile actors from Bollywood and beyond. Director Shekhar Kapoor described him as India’s most successful export to Hollywood and a man loved by all.
An actor that every director wanted to work with. A human being that gave his best in every role. Indian film’s most succesful export to Hollywood. A man loved by all. Sad to see #IrrfanKhan leave us, after what we thought was suucesfull fight against cancer. God bess you Irfan .
— Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) April 29, 2020
Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar, who directed Khan in Piku, gave condolences to his family and expressed pride over how Irrfan fought through his condition. “My dear friend Irfaan. You fought and fought and fought,” he said in a heartfelt note.
My dear friend Irfaan. You fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of you.. we shall meet again.. condolences to Sutapa and Babil.. you too fought, Sutapa you gave everything possible in this fight. Peace and Om shanti. Irfaan Khan salute.
— Shoojit Sircar (@ShoojitSircar) April 29, 2020
Piku co-star Amitabh Bachchan described him as an incredible talent, a gracious colleague and a prolific contributor to the world of cinema.
T 3516 – .. just getting news of the passing of Irfaan Khan .. 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 🙏— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) April 29, 2020
Taapsee Pannu expressed aptly, the shock that everyone felt, stating “I think I will refuse to believe you are no more by watching all your work time and again and again and again.”
When we thought nothing could make us feel worse,this happened. I think I will refuse to believe you are no more by watching all your work time n again n again n again. I have known you that way n shall continue to know you that way for ever. You ARE the best we have #IrrfanKhan
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) April 29, 2020
Anupam Kher posted an emotional video message, describing Irrfan as a dear friend, one of the finest actors and a wonderful human being.
Nothing can be more heartbreaking and tragic than the news of passing away of a dear friend, one of the finest actors and a wonderful human being #IrrfanKhan. Saddest day!! May his soul rest in peace. #OmShanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/QSm05p7PfU
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) April 29, 2020
Parineeti Chopra mourned the loss of a real fighter, and wished strength to the family.
Irrfan sir, you were the nicest, coolest guy. Every interaction with you was so memorable. The world has lost the most talented actor, the nicest human being and a real fighter!! All my love and strength to the family 💙 #RIP #IrrfanKhan
— Parineeti Chopra (@ParineetiChopra) April 29, 2020
The actor commanded a following beyond the realm of merely the film industry, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal remembering him as one of the most exceptional actors of our time, whose work will always be remembered.
Shocked to hear of the demise of Irrfan Khan, one of the most exceptional actors of our time. May his work always be remembered and his soul rest in peace
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 29, 2020
“So much energy, so much intensity taken away so soon,” said cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle.
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
Akshay Kumar also took to Twitter to express sorrow and wished Khan’s family strength in this difficult time.
Such terrible news…saddened to hear about the demise of #IrrfanKhan, one of the finest actors of our time. May God give strength to his family in this difficult time 🙏🏻
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 29, 2020
“It’s not only a big loss to his family, but also the film industry,” said veteran actress Shabana Azmi.
Deeply saddened to learn that #Irffan Khan passed away this morning. Gone too soon .. such a powerful actor and how valiantly he fought back the cancer. Its a big loss not only to his family but to the entire film industry. RIP
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) April 29, 2020
Bhumi Pednekar described him as an institution and an inspirational force.
So heartbroken on the demise of #IrrfanKhan sir. We are shocked & just sad. My condolences to the family .You will live on forever in our hearts sir. Thank you for entertaining us and giving us such powerful performances .You were an institution & an inspirational force . RIP 🙏🏻
— bhumi pednekar (@bhumipednekar) April 29, 2020
“How do you mourn his passing away for he breathes in the characters he left behind?” asked Minister Smriti Irani
He etched every character in our memories with sheer talent. From the passion of Pan Singh Tomar to a floundering father in Angrezi Medium #IrrfanKhan was an actor to behold. How do you mourn his passing away for he breathes in the characters he left behind .. Om Shanti 🙏
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 29, 2020
And novelist and screenwriter Durjoy Datta said something a lot of us are feeling right now. “It’s the first time an actor’s death feels personal.”
this is the first time an actor's death feels personal. can't imagine what people who came to know him must feel at this point. we can all try but won't come up with a single instance where we haven't looked at him with awe and admiration. what a man. too soon. #IrrfanKhan
— Durjoy Datta (@durjoydatta) April 29, 2020
2020 just got a whole lot worse.
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