Irrfan Khan, star of Oscar-winning movies including Slumdog Millionaire and Life of Pi,has died at the age of 53.
He had been admitted to hospital in Mumbai with a kidney infection yesterday, but his condition is said to have deteriorated.
A statement from his representatives read: “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.
“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.”
Khan had been treated for cancer in 2019 in London, after being diagnosed with an neuroendocrine tumour.
His death comes just days after his mother, Saeeda Begum, died at the age of 95. He attended her funeral on Saturday via a video link.
Khan, often known in India simply by his first name Irrfan, first began acting in television, after moving to Mumbai from New Delhi, where he studied at the National School of Drama.
He made his big screen debut in the Oscar-nominated film Salaam Bombay in 1988, and starred in a slew of Bollywood hits, including Haasil in 2003, Maqbool in 2004 and biopic sports drama Paan Singh Tomar in 2012, for which he won India’s National Film Award.
Khan received international acclaim after appearing in Asif Kapadia’s The Warrior, before landing roles in Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire and Wes Anderson’s The Darjeeling Limited.
He played the grown-up Piscine ‘Pi’ Patel in Ang Lee’s Oscar-winning Life of Pi, and also appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man and Jurassic World.
He is survived by his wife Sutapa Sikdar and their two sons, Babil and Ayan.
Many have taken to social media to pay tribute to the actor.
T 3516 – .. just getting news of the passing of Irfaan Khan .. this is a most disturbing and sad news ..
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 121K11:43 PM – Apr 28, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy22.1K people are talking about this
A fantastic costar, an actor par excellence ,and a beautiful human being , you are irreplaceable #irrfankhan. @irrfank We lost you too soon! Unbelievable. Om Shanti
10.6K11:52 PM – Apr 28, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy1,137 people are talking about this
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.48.1K11:06 PM – Apr 28, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy9,090 people are talking about this
Deeply disturbed to hear about the passing of #IrrfanKhan . Such a brilliant actor, gone at the age of 53. My heartfelt condolences to his family. May God give them strength to bear this loss. RIP Irrfan
9,16612:38 AM – Apr 29, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy919 people are talking about this
Very very sad to hear about Irrfan Khan. Gone too soon !6611:27 PM – Apr 28, 2020Twitter Ads info and privacy17 people are talking about this
