Sad news to report as Indian actor Irrfan Khan has passed away at the age of 53. Khan was admitted to a Mumbai hospital this week with a colon infection and the news of his passing was confirmed by the actor's representatives.
Khan has been widely considered one of India’s finest actors and was often praised for his engaging screen presence. His career spanned 30 years where he became known in his homeland for successful movies including PAAN SINGH, TOMAR, HAIDER, GUNDAY, and the box office smash HINDI MEDIUM.
Khan achieved success in the international and U.S. market as well. He received a BAFTA-nomination in 2001 for THE WARRIOR and THE LUNCHBOX became a hit at Cannes before going on to be widely considered as one of the best films of 2013. Casual moviegoers may remember Khan for his roles in LIFE OF PI, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, THE DARJEELING LIMITED, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, JURASSIC WORLD & INFERNO. Khan’s family released the following statement to Indian media regarding his passing:
"I trust, I have surrendered”; These were some of the many words that Irrfan expressed in a heart-felt 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. 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."
Sadly, local media reported that Khan’s mother, Saeda Begum, had passed away on Saturday at the age of 83, and the actor followed her funeral via video link. Our condolences go out to the entire Khan family as his legacy will live on in the films he left behind. Khan is survived by his wife and two sons. R.I.P.