It is with great sadness that ComingSoon.net (via HuffPost) must report that Bollywood star Irrfan Khan has died at the age of 53 in a hospital in the western city of Mumbai, his agency Hardly Anonymous Communications revealed in a statement. The Slumdog Millionaire and Life of Pi star announced in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine tumor.
— Irrfan (@irrfank) March 16, 2018
In a statement, a spokesperson said: “‘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. 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.’”
Besides starring in the Academy Award-winning movies Slumdog Millionaire (2008) and Life of Pie (2012), Khan was best known internationally for appearing in The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Jurassic World (2015), and Inferno (2016), as well as Bollywood features like Rog (2005), The Lunchbox (2013), Maqbool (2003), and the musical Life In A… Metro (2007). Khan’s breakthrough role came in 2002’s The Warrior, which was selected for the prestigious San Sebastian Film festival and won a BAFTA for Best British Film. Khan’s long list of credits first included mainly supporting and character roles until the actor broke into leading roles in the early 2000s, including winning his first award for the 2003 movie Haasil.
Khan is survived by his wife Sutapa Sikdar and sons Babil and Ayan. The Hollywood community remembered Irrfan Khan today on Twitter…
Rest in peace one of the greatest actors of our time, Irrfan Khan. I never met him but he was an inspiration and a hero to me and millions of others. His work was consistently transcendent, he was a guiding light for so many of us. pic.twitter.com/BwobeLvNLn
— Riz Ahmed (@rizwanahmed) April 29, 2020
The loss of Irrfan Khan – at such a young age – is devastating. He was my favorite actor. I can’t think of someone who gave such layered and thoughtful performances but was also a movie star; you couldn’t take your eyes off of him onscreen. Love and peace to his family. pic.twitter.com/OjwhNgXgJu
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) April 29, 2020
I love this @tomhanks quote about #IrrfanKhan. I read it in an interview and never forgot it. It’s TOM HANKS. pic.twitter.com/NBSX4UFLA7
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) April 29, 2020
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. #IrrfanKhan you will truly be missed. Condolences to the family. pic.twitter.com/vjhd5aoFhc
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 29, 2020
We’ll always be indebted to one of the finest actors this country has ever seen. RIP #Irrfankhan. pic.twitter.com/hPmw0KO5VG
— Sony Pictures India (@SonyPicsIndia) April 29, 2020
Hearing the news about #IrrfanKhan sir truly truly broke my heart. This is not fair is all I can say. May his soul rest in peace.
— Rashmika Mandanna (@iamRashmika) April 29, 2020
Deeply sad to have lost #IrrfanKhan. A thoughtful man who found beauty in the world around him, even in pain. In our last correspondence, he asked me to remember “the wonderful aspects of our existence” in the darkest of days. Here he is, laughing. pic.twitter.com/8eAsSOO9Ie
— Colin Trevorrow (@colintrevorrow) April 29, 2020
In d year 2000 a film directed by #IrrfanKhan named ALVIDA starred me & I ws lucky 2 hv my mentor as my co-star in many films.
No 1 wil evr b able 2 fill his space in d entire world of cinema.
Never thot in d worst of my dreams, dat wil hv 2 say “ALVIDA” so soon RIP #IrrfanKhan— Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) April 29, 2020
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
Never knew that his death would make me so very Sad. Felt like a punch in my heart. We only met a few times. It was his portrayals of roles which gave me a window to his Vulnerability and Beauty that he possessed. Deep Empathy he evoked in me. Please rest well Irrfan. Deep Love.
— Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) April 29, 2020
A grateful fan of #IrrfanKhan here. Gone too soon. When he is on screen, you can’t take your eyes off of him. He lives on in his films. pic.twitter.com/aA9RAjsxSl
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 29, 2020
That is why fine Art, Craftsmanship is so very vital for the well being of a society. Deep Empathy that it evokes, heals a broken Soul. Make people fall in love with a stranger. Isn’t that a priceless gift to a society often sufferers from animosity, Everywhere in World ?
— Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) April 29, 2020
