Cited as one of the finest actors in Indian cinema, Irrfan Khan also made an indelible mark in the West.
This week, the actor was mourned from many corners of the globe following his passing at age 53 from complications from a colon infection, according to The Guardian.
Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai, where Khan passed away, said in a statement that the actor “was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him.”
Khan–who became a major film star in his native India with such movies as The Warrior and The Lunchbox–got his big break in American cinema with a meaty role in Slumdog Millionaire.
In that film–which took home eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director–he played a police officer, a part that led him to several supporting roles in Hollywood blockbusters.
In 2012, Khan portrayed Dr. Rajit Ratha in The Amazing Spider-Man and was featured in The Life of Pi, which led to the role of a businessman in 2015’s Jurassic World.
Colin Trevorrow, director of Jurassic World, said he was “deeply sad” about Khan’s passing. The director described Khan as “a thoughtful man who found beauty in the world around him.”
Khan’s popularity was such that it was said that director Wes Anderson wrote a small role especially for him in The Darjeeling Limited just so he could work with the actor.
But, ultimately, it was his huge body of work in Indian cinema that cemented his legacy.
Indian prime minister Narendra Medi released a statement following his passing, calling it “a loss to the world of cinema and theatre. He will be remembered for his versatile performances across different mediums.”
Fellow Indian actor Amitabh Bachchan called Khan “an incredible talent, a gracious colleague and a prolific contributor to the world of cinema.”
Kahn is survived by his wife, Sutapa Sikdar, and his sons, Babil and Ayan. We at Horror News Network offer our condolences to his family and friends.
