Irrfan Khan also known as Sahabzade Irrfan Ali Khan is one of the most versatile actors of Indian film industry who has garnered immense appreciations both critically and commercially. His works mainly encompass Bollywood, however he has also ventured in Hollywood and South Indian film industry. His talent and contribution in the celluloid industry has fetched him a number of prestigious accolades including Padma Shri Award which is the fourth highest civilian award in India. He has appeared in a variety of roles over the years; however he shot to limelight with his movies Maqbool, Paan Singh Tomar, Haasil and Rog.
Early Life of Irrfan Khan
Irrfan Khan was born on 30 November 1962 in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Born in a Muslim Nawab family, his initial name was Sahabzade Irrfan Ali Khan. His father, late Jagirdar, was from the Khajuriya village near the Tonk district and ran a tyre business and his mother Sayeeda Begum, was from the Tonk Hakim family. The ace actor had received a scholarship to study at National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi in 1984. Irrfan Khan was a skilled cricketer and was selected for CK Nayudu Tournament, a stepping stone to First-Class cricket for under 23 players. However, he did not turn up for the tournament owing to lack of funds. In 1984, Irrfan Khan was doing his Master of Arts degree when he got a scholarship to study at National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi. When Irrfan Khan arrived in Bombay, he worked as an air conditioner repairman and one of the houses he visited to repair an air conditioner was the house of superstar Rajesh Khanna.
Television Career of Irrfan Khan
After coming to Mumbai, Irrfan initially worked in serials like Chanakya, Bharat Ek Khoj, Sara Jahan Hamara, Banegi Apni Baat, Chandrakanta (Doordarshan), Star Bestsellers (Star Plus), and Sparsh. He was cast in the role of a villain in the series Darr and Kahkashan which was about famous revolutionary Urdu poets and Marxist political activists of India. Irrfan has acted in Govind Nihalani`s serial, Jazeere, Pitah and Dhristi of Shyam Benegal. He even hosted a show Mano Ya Na Mano, a reality show based on people`s belief.
Film Career of Irrfan Khan
Irrfan Khan was active in theatres and television till he got his first role in the Meera Nair`s Salaam Bombay. He next starred in Tapan Sinha`s Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1991) with Shabana Azmi for which he won the National Film Award. He worked in a lead role in director Asif Kapadia`s movie The Warrior (2001) the movie won the Alexander Korda Award for Best British Film at the BAFTA Awards. Subsequently he worked in many other commercial flicks like Chehera, Aan, Footpath, Supari, Dhund, Kasoor, Ghath, and Vaade Iraade. He acted in Vishal Bharadwaj`s Maqbool (2004) which was an adaptation of Macbeth. He played the role of Macbeth in the movie. In 2007 Irrfan starred in the movie The Mighty Heart with Angelina Jolie. The movie was based on a book by Marianne Pearl about the slaying of her journalist husband Daniel Pearl.
Irrfan has been critically acclaimed for his commendable performances in Anurag Basu`s Life in a Metro, Mira Nair`s Namesake opposite Tabu, Mumbai Meri Jaan, Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra`s Delhi 6 and Billu with Shahrukh Khan. He also starred in the Danny Boyle`s Oscar winning movie Slumdog Millionaire. He was seen in the movie 7 Khoon Maaf with Priyanka Chopra, Acid Factory and New York. Paan Singh Tomar is considered as a milestone in the actor`s career. His portrayal of the real life Rajput runner earned him immense praises by the critics. He was also a part of the movie The Lunchbox alongside Nimrat Kaur in which he once again managed to acquire huge appreciations from critics. The film also won an award at the Cannes International Film Festival.
Achievements of Irrfan Khan
Irrfan Khan has walked away with a number of prestigious awards for his commendable acting skills. He won 3 Filmfare Awards for his movies Haasil, Life in a Metro and Paan Singh Tomar in the years 2003, 2007 and 2012 respectively. For his film Paan Singh Tomar he also bagged the National Film Award. Apart from these, he won IRDS Film Award for social concern, Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance, Independent Spirit Award, Stardust Best Supporting Actor Award and IIFA Award. In 2011 he was honoured with Padma Shri Award for his contribution in entertainment industry.
Awards won by Irrfan Khan
Year Award
2018 International Indian Film Academy Awards - Best Actor - Hindi Medium
2018 News18 Reel Movie Awards - Best Actor - Hindi Medium
2018 Screen Awards - Best Actor - Hindi Medium
2017 Dubai International Film Festival - Honorary Award
2016 Indian Film Festival of Melbourne - Best Actor - Piku
2016 Stardust Awards - Performer Of The Year (Male) - Editor`s Choice - Piku
2016 Star Screen Awards - Best Actor (Jury`s Choice) – Male - Talvar
2014 Indian International Film Festival of Queensland - Best Actor - Qissa
2013 Asian Film Award for Best Actor - The Lunchbox
2013 Asia-Pacific Film Festival - Outstanding Achievement Award - The Lunchbox
2013 Dubai International Film Festival - Best Actor - The Lunchbox
2013 Times of India Film Awards - Best Actor - Paan Singh Tomar
2013 Star Guild Awards - Star Verdict of the Year - The Lunchbox
2013 Screen Award for Best Actor - Paan Singh Tomar
2012 IRDS Film Award for social concern - Best male character - Paan Singh Tomar
2012 CNN-IBN Indian of the Year
2011 International Indian Film Academy Awards - Outstanding Achievement in Indian Cinema
2015 Central Ohio Film Critics Association - Best Ensemble - Slumdog Millionaire
2009 GQ (Indian edition) - Man of the Year
2008 International Indian Film Academy Awards - Best Actor In A Supporting Role - Life in a... Metro
2008 IIFA Award for Best Supporting Actor - Life in a... Metro
2008 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture - Slumdog Millionaire
2007 Star Guild Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Life in a... Metro
2006 Alliance of Women Film Journalists - Best Seduction - The Namesake
2004 Screen Weekly Awards - Best Performance in a Negative Role – Haasil
Filmography of Irrfan Khan
Movie Year
Salaam Bombay 1988
Kamla Ki Maut 1989
Drishti 1990
Ek Doctor Ki Maut 1991
Pita 1991
Jazeere 1991
Mujhse Dosti Karoge 1992
Karamati Coat 1993
The Cloud Door 1994
Vaade Iraade 1994
Purush 1994
Adhura 1995
Private Detective: Two Plus Two Plus One 1997
Such a Long Journey 1998
Bada Din 1998
The Goal 1999
Ghaath 2000
The Warrior 2001
Kasoor 2001
Pratha 2002
Kali Salwaar 2002
Gunaah 2002
Bokshu, The Myth 2002
Haathi ka Anda 2002
Haasil 2003
Footpath 2003
Maqbool 2003
Dhund: The fog 2003
The Bypass 2003
Shadows of Time 2004
Aan: Men at Work 2004
Road to Ladakh 2004
Charas: A Joint Operation 2004
Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets 2005
Rog 2005
Chehraa 2005
7½ Phere 2005
The Film 2005
Dubai Return 2005
Yun Hota To Kya Hota 2006
The Killer 2006
The Namesake 2006
Deadline: Sirf 24 Ghante 2006
Sainikudu 2006
Mr. 100% 2006
A Mighty Heart 2007
Life in a Metro 2007
The Namesake 2007
The Darjeeling Limited 2007
Apna Asmaan 2007
Aaja Nachle 2007
Partition 2007
Tulsi 2008
Sunday 2008
Krazzy 4 2008
Mumbai Meri Jaan 2008
Slumdog Millionaire 2008
Chamku 2008
Dil Kabaddi 2008
One Two Three(Narrator) 2008
Migration 2008
New York, I Love You 2008
Acid Factory 2009
Billu 2009
New York 2009
Right Yaaa Wrong 2010
Hisss 2010
Knock Out 2010
Yeh Saali Zindagi 2011
7 Khoon Maaf 2011
Thank You 2011
Paan Singh Tomar 2012
The Amazing Spider-Man 2012
Life of Pi 2012
Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost 2013
Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns 2013
D-Day 2013
The Lunchbox 2013
Gunday 2014
Haider 2014
The Xpose 2014
Piku 2015
Jurassic World 2015
Jazbaa 2015
Talvar 2015
Bajirao Mastani(Narrator) 2015
The Jungle Book(Baloo Dubbing) 2016
Madaari 2016
Inferno 2016
Hindi Medium 2017
Doob: No Bed of Roses 2017
The Song of Scorpions 2017
Qarib Qarib Singlle 2017
Puzzle 2018
Blackmail 2018
Karwaan 2018
Angrezi Medium 2019
Personal Life of Irrfan Khan
Irrfan married Sutapa Sikdar, a writer by profession and an NSD graduate, on 23 February 1995. The couple is blessed with two children namely Babil and Aryan.
Illness and Death of Irrfan Khan
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. 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.