Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan no more

Bhubaneswar: Critically acclaimed Bollywood actor Irrfan Khan passed away after losing battle with a rare form of cancer, a statement from his representative said.

The “Maqbool” actor, who was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour in 2018, lost his mother in Jaipur just four days ago. He was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital with a colon infection.

“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,” the statement said.

“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. And to resonate and part with his words he had said, ”As if I was tasting life for the first time, the magical side of it”,” the statement read.

After his condition deteriorated yesterday, his fans had started praying for speedy recovery. However, the doctors failed to save his life.

The popular actor had performed his best in the Bollywood hits including Life in a Metro, The Lunch Box, Piku, Madaari, Hindi Medium and Hollywood movies Salaam Bombay, The Namesake, A Mighty Heart, Slumdog Millionaire, Life of Pi, Inferno and The Amazing Spider man and Jurassic World. Despite his illness, he was last seen in the Bollywood film Angrezi Medium released just before the nationwide lockdown.

Irrfan, who made his debut in Bollywood with Salaam Bombay! had left his footprint on small screen in popular television series Chandrakanta during 1990s for memorable character Badrinath.

He was conferred with Padma Shri, the country’s highest civilian award, for his contribution to Indian cinema.

His last rites were performed at Versova cemetery at around 3.00 pm in Mumbai in presence of minimal number of persons of his family including his wife Sutapa Sikdar, sons Babli and Ayan and some close relatives due to COVID-19 lockdown restrictions.

With PTI input.