Actor Irrfan Khan, who started acting from Jaipur’s Art Center ‘Ravindra Manch’, spread the art and fame of Jaipur city not only in India but around the world. He wasn’t just an ordinary actor; he was an entire industry in himself.
One day, Irrfan reached the office of Ravindra Manch and told the people present there that he wanted to do a drama. In response, the office staff said, “This is the office, there are no plays here, you have to meet the drama troupe”. Then he approached the drama troupe. From here, Irrfan Khan’s acting journey began. He did the first play ‘Jalte Badan’. After learning the nuances of drama in Jaipur, Irfan moved to Delhi. He acted at National School of Drama in Delhi. After that, he moved to Mumbai from here.
Like everyone who was lucky enough to spend his formative years in Jaipur, Irrfan was very fond of flying kites, the city’s traditional sport. It was almost a ritual for him to return to his home on the Makar Sankranti, a festival of kites, music and pakoras, and spend the day on the roof.
Utilising every chance to spend time with his family, Irrfan made frequent trips to Jaipur. Even after he made it as an actor, his mother wanted him to return to the city and work as a lecturer. Irrfan’s family continued to live in the pink city even when he moved to Mumbai and emerged as an internationally acclaimed actor. Going to Jaipur meant family time for Irrfan. Going out with friends or visiting your favourite cookware shops, old monuments and forts in the walled city were on your to-do list here.
Irrfan, along with his friends, would cycle from the walled city to the Amer Fort after school. He was always a very private and simple boy who never preferred luxurious settings. Whenever he came in Jaipur, he would not drink tea in a five-star hotel or a cafe, rather he would take friends to any thadi, a local tea stall.
Irrfan Khan was born as Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan on January 7, 1967, in Jaipur, Rajasthan into a Pashtun Muslim family. Saeeda Begum Khan, the mother of Irrfan Khan, came from the Tonk Hakim family and his father, Yaseen Ali Khan, was from the village of Khajuriya, near the Tonk district. Irrfan Khan’s father ran a Tyre business and his mother was a housewife.
Irrfan Khan got married to his wife Sutapa Sikdar, in 1995. She is a Hindu of the Brahmin caste. She is a movie producer, dialogue writer and screenwriter. Among her famous movies are Khamoshi: The Musical (Dialogue Writer, 1996), Supari (Dialogue Writer, 2003), Kahaani (Dialogue Writer, 2003), Madaari (Producer, 2016), Qarib Qarib Singlle (Producer, 2017).
Irrfan Khan: Awards & Achievements
Irrfan Khan was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth highest civilian honor for his contribution to the field of arts.
His portrayal of Paan Singh Tomar in the acclaimed biographical sports drama Paan Singh Tomar (2011) won him the National Film Award for Best Actor and a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. His performance in the BAFTA Award nominated romance The Lunchbox (2013) earned him universal acclaim by the critics and audiences.
Globally, Khan was in The Warrior (2001), The Namesake (2006), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), the Academy Award-winning film Slumdog Millionaire (2008), New York, I Love You (2009), The Amazing Spider-Man (2012), Life of Pi (2012), Jurassic World (2015) and Inferno (2016). As of 2017, his films have grossed $3.643 billion at the worldwide box office.
Interesting facts about Irrfan Khan
- While pursuing an MA is, he was offered a schoolship to attend the national school of drama.
- He rose to fame with a negative role in hassle in 2003 in 2005 he got a lead role in movie rog.
- Irrfan changed the name of his spelling Irfan to Irrfan because of he like the sound of extra r.
- He had a dream of gifting a suitcase full of money to her mother.
- He got many accolades for his acting in “pan Singh Tomar”
And appeared in various tv serials like – Chanakya, Chandrakanta, Bharat Ek Khoj, etc. - Irrfan Khan met the love of his life (Sutapa Sikdar ) in NSD who is his wife now.
Irrfan also liked to play cricket. He used to play cricket at Chaugan Stadium in Jaipur. As a result, he was also selected for the CK Naidu Trophy. Despite this, his family did not allow him to pursue a career in cricket. He then moved away from cricket and joined the theatre.
Irrfan Khan: Illness and Death
Irrfan Khan was diagnosed with an undisclosed disease in February 2018. The actor put the speculations to an end stating that he was suffering from a neuroendocrine tumour – a rare form of cancer that can target various parts of the body via his twitter handle. The same year Irrfan Khan travelled to London for the treatment.
On April 28, 2020, Irrfan Khan was rushed to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai where he was treated for colon infection. On April 29, 2020, four days after his mother’s death in Jaipur, Irrfan Khan passed away at the age of 53.
“Amma (Irrfan’s mother) is here in my room, Mujhe lene aayi hain, Dekho baithi hain mere paas”.
Irrfan’s last words before he passed away
