Irrfan Khan left us all too early, yet we continue to be inspired by his work, convictions, and way of life. He established a precedent in several spheres of life, turning down significant Hollywood offers to fulfil his commitment to a Hindi film and to distance himself from the idea of performers being raised to the position of heroes. Irrfan was a great person to his family and a good friend to his colleagues. His distinctiveness stretched beyond his work. Irrfan stands out among his colleagues because of these extraordinary qualities.Irffans commitment to Hindi cinemaIrrfan distinguished himself among Indian actors for the exceptional quality of his work in Hollywood, but he maintained his modest demeanour and didnt undervalue his Hindi productions in contrast. Since he had already promised his dates to Piku, he gave up a “lengthy, pivotal role” in Ridley Scotts The Martian, which not every actor would do! He also declined Interstellar in favour of The Lunchbox and D-Day, which he regarded as one of the hardest choices of his life. Irrfan had suggested a schedule that would allow him to travel between India and the US, but it was not feasible for him to attend The Lunchbox and D-Day. Irrfan rarely had second thoughts about his decisions, but passing on a Christopher Nolan movie was difficult for him to make.Irrfan believed in being a good actor than a superstarIrrfan was one of the best performers Indian cinema has ever produced, and he had a long career in the West, yet he never agreed that actors should be worshipped as superstars by young people. “It pains me when a film actor or a cricketer is considered an idol,” he said, expressing his unease with the notion. “I dont have any ill feelings towards them. They are helpful to society and excellent performers. They make a difference in peoples lives. They are not, however, heroes or superstars but good actors.” He valued performance over commercial gimmicks of the film industry.Irrfan Khan was known for his extraordinary ability to bring complicated characters to life with sincerity and depth. He boldly took on difficult roles and constantly depicted them with sensitivity and realism, distinguishing himself from other actors of the time. Irrfan gave his characters a true feeling of human vulnerabilities that made them both sympathetic and fascinating, whether it was while he was playing a police officer in “Maqbool” or a middle-class office worker in “The Lunchbox.”Irrfan Khans films frequently addressed fundamental social issues like class conflict, discrimination based on gender, and cultural disputes. Paan Singh Tomar and Hindi Medium tackled concerns that were relevant to Indian society, whilst The Namesake and Life of Pi dug into subjects that transcended national borders and cultures.Irrfan Khans films developed a greater bond with the audience and made an eternal impression by addressing these relevant social concerns. His films have a timeless aspect that allows them to engage with audiences even today. Whether in films like Haasil and Maqbool, or subsequently in Hollywood blockbusters like Slumdog Millionaire and The Amazing Spider-Man, Irrfans performances have a global aspect that makes them relevant for every generation.
