Mumbai, India
News Desk | Entertainment
Irrfan Khan, one of India’s most acclaimed actors whose career bridged Bollywood, independent cinema, and Hollywood, continues to be remembered for his body of work and influence on screen performance years after his death. Khan died on April 29, 2020, in Mumbai at the age of 53 following complications related to a rare neuroendocrine tumor, according to his family and medical officials.
Born in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Irrfan Khan trained at the National School of Drama before building a career marked by unconventional roles and restrained performances. He gained early recognition through Indian parallel cinema before achieving mainstream success with films such as Maqbool, Paan Singh Tomar, and The Lunchbox, which drew critical acclaim domestically and internationally.
Irrfan Khan also became one of the few Indian actors to establish a sustained presence in Hollywood, appearing in productions including Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire, The Namesake, and Jurassic World. Directors and co-stars frequently cited his ability to bring emotional depth and realism to diverse characters across languages and genres.
In 2018, Irrfan Khan publicly revealed his cancer diagnosis and stepped away from acting to undergo treatment abroad. He returned briefly to film Angrezi Medium, released weeks before his death, which later became a posthumous tribute to his career. Tributes following his passing came from political leaders, filmmakers, and actors worldwide, highlighting his contribution to global storytelling.
Film institutions and critics continue to reference Irrfan Khan performances in discussions of contemporary acting, while his work remains part of academic and cinematic retrospectives. Streaming platforms have also reported sustained viewership of his films, underscoring his lasting appeal across generations.
His family has maintained a low public profile since his death, occasionally sharing remembrances on anniversaries. No official announcements regarding biographical projects or posthumous releases have been made.
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