Irrfan Khan, one of a handful of Bollywood actors to make his mark in the Western movie industry, died yesterday at the age of 53.
According to Aljazeera he passed away in a hospital in the Indian city of Mumbai after being admitted for a colon infection.
His publicist said in a statement, "Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him."
Khan had fought a brave battle with cancer and had spent several months last year in Britain undergoing cancer therapy.
He found fame in the western world through international movies such as The Warrior, the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire and Life of Pi and had supporting roles in the Hollywood films The Amazing Spider-Man, Jurassic World and Inferno.
Bollywood stars took to social media to express their shock and sadness at his untimely passing. Irrfan's co-star in the movie Piku , Amitabh Bachchan, called him "a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema".
T 3516 - .. just getting news of the passing of Irfaan Khan .. this is a most disturbing and sad news .. ????
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) April 29, 2020
An incredible talent .. a gracious colleague .. a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema .. left us too soon .. creating a huge vacuum ..
Prayers and duas ????
Such was Khan's standing in India, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to social media to express his dismay at the passing of his country’s iconic and much-loved actor writing: “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.”
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 statement released by the family said that he had spent his final hours "surrounded by his love, his family for whom he most cared about."
He is survived by his wife, TV producer Sutapa Sikdar, and sons Babil and Ayan.
May you RIP Irrfan Khan.
