Bollywood Actor and Slumdog Millionaire Star Irrfan Khan Dead at 53
Irrfan Khan has died at the age of 53.
The famed Bollywood star and actor — who had over 150 credits to his name, including notable roles in Slumdog Millionaire, Jurassic World, Life of Pi, and The Amazing Spider-Man — had been experiencing health issues in recent years and was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumor in 2018, a rare condition affecting cells that release hormones into the bloodstream.
"Sometimes you wake up with a jolt, with life shaking you up," Khan wrote at the time. "Little had I known that my search for rare stories would make me find a rare disease. I have never given up and have always fought for my choices and always will."
Earlier this week, Khan had been admitted to hospital in Mumbai with a colon infection, CNN reported. His representatives confirmed his death to media outlets on Wednesday.
He is survived by his wife, Sutapa Sikdar, and two grown sons, Babil and Ayan.
His own mother died last week, CNN reported, but Khan was unable to attend her last rites due to worldwide coronavirus lockdowns.
RELATED: Bollywood Actor and Life of Pi Star Irrfan Khan Reveals Battle with 'Rare Disease'
Taylor Jewell/Invision/AP/Shutterstock Irrfan Khan
George Pimentel/Getty Images) Irrfan Khan
Neilson Barnard/Getty Irrfan Khan
Khan’s family shared an emotional statement to Indian media, obtained by Deadline.
"'I trust, I have surrendered'; These were the some of the many words that Irrfan expressed in a heart-felt note he wrote in 2018 opening up about his fight with cancer," the note began. "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," Khan's family said. "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,' " they concluded
Celador Films/Pathe International/Kobal/Shutterstock Irrfan Khan in Slumdog Millionaire
Moviestore/REX/Shutterstock Irrfan Khan in Life of Pi
Khan was widely regarded as one of India’s finest actors.
He was born Sahabzada Irfan Ali Khan on Jan. 7, 1967 in Tonk, and began his career in Indian TV soap operas.
A small role in the 1988 Oscar-nominated drama Salaam Bombay! would be Khan's first big-screen part, but success in film wouldn't come until a breakthrough role in the 2001 British-Indian film The Warrior.
That film changed Khan's career path. Over the next two decades, Khan made roughly six films a year, including movies like The Lunchbox (2003), A Mighty Heart (2007), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), New York, I Love You (2010), and Inferno (2016).
Throughout his 30-year career, Khan won a number of awards, including a 2012 Indian National Film Award for best actor for his performance in Paan Singh Tomar. He also received an Independent Spirit Award for supporting actor for the 2006 Indian-American drama The Namesake.
His last film was the Bollywood movie Angrezi Medium, which was released just days before the coronavirus pandemic hit.
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
Very sad to hear about our dear colleague Irrfan. How tragic and sad. Such a wonderful talent. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Thank you Irrfan for all the joy you have brought to our lives through your work.
You will be fondly remembered.
Love.
a.— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) April 29, 2020
India lost something today. A storehouse of talent, a self-made man, an inspiration for millions, fabulous actor and fighter until the end. Sad to hear about the loss of #IrrfanKhan. God bless his soul. ❤️🙏
— Chetan Bhagat (@chetan_bhagat) April 29, 2020
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
Heartfelt condolences on the untimely demise of a self made, brilliant, versatile actor par excellence our own #IrrfanKhan. He was certainly one of the best in our film industry. A thorough gentleman & fine human being @irrfank. A man of few words, but a volcano of talent.
— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) April 29, 2020
Irrfan Khan’s demise is a loss to the world of cinema and theatre. He will be remembered for his versatile performances across different mediums. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 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
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
Many of Bollywood's biggest stars memorialized Khan on Wednesday.
"The charisma you brought to everything you did was pure magic," said Priyanka Chopra, on Twitter. "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."
"Rest in peace one of the greatest actors of our time, Irrfan Khan," tweeted British actor Riz Ahmed. "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."
