Irrfan Khan, Bollywood icon, dies at 53
“It’s saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away,” read a statement from Khan’s PR agency, Hardly Anonymous Communications. “Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him.”
He leaves behind a wife and two children.
He had made a name for himself in Bollywood, with roles in several award-nominated and winning films like “Life In A…Metro” and “The Lunchbox.”
He rose to international fame when he played a police inspector in “Slumdog Millionaire,” which won eight Academy Awards and seven BAFTA Awards. He took on a bigger starring role in “Life of Pi,” which also won multiple Golden Globes and Academy Awards.
He also played supporting roles in major US films like “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “Jurassic World” and “Inferno.”
Other actors, directors and Bollywood figures posted tributes and messages of condolences on Wednesday commemorating his life and career.
“You fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of you.. we shall meet again,” tweeted the award-winning filmmaker Shoojit Sircar.
“An incredible talent, a gracious colleague, a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema .. left us too soon,” Bachchan tweeted.
Several international film stars also tweeted their condolences, including Priyanka Chopra and Ava DuVernay.
