NEW DELHI: Critically acclaimed movie actor Irrfan Khan lost a brave two-year-long battle with cancer in Mumbai on Wednesday, his resolve apparently frayed by the loss of his mother at the weekend whose last rites he could not attend due to the countrywide lockdown. He was 53.

After persistent media speculation over his health during an off-and-on treatment abroad, Irrfan revealed he was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour, a rare form of cancer that can target various parts of the body. Reports said he finally succumbed to colon infection with which he was admitted to a Mumbai hospital on Tuesday. His wife Sutapa Sikdar and both sons were by his side.

Internationally praised for a range of acclaimed roles, Irrfan had expressed his desire to work also in Pakistan, acknowledging though that the two countries were not going to be allowed to live in peace by their politicians. He co-starred with Pakistan’s popular actor Saba Qamar in the 2017 movie Hindi Medium. As often happens with popular actors he signed up for the sequel, English Medium. The movie became the last to be released before the Covid-19 lockdown laid low the entire tinsel town a month ago.

“Deeply disturbed to hear about the passing of Irrfan Khan,” Ms Qamar tweeted. “It feels like yesterday coming back from the sets of Hindi Medium. You taught me a lot as an actor and a mentor. Such a brilliant actor gone too soon. I’m at a loss for words.”

Mumbai colleagues were heartbroken at the news.

“A gracious colleague, a prolific contributor to the world of cinema. Left us too soon,” tweeted Amitabh Bachchan.

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who starred with the actor in her comeback film Jazbaa, wrote in her Instagram story: “Heartbreaking news... So sad to hear about the demise of my dear friend Irrfan Khan... The brightest, most genuine, humble, kind and eventually bravest soul. May he rest in peace. God bless...”

Shah Rukh Khan worked with Irrfan Khan in the 2009 film Billu. He wrote: “My friend...inspiration and the greatest actor of our times. Allah bless your soul Irrfan bhai...will miss you as much as cherish the fact that you were part of our lives. Paimana kahe hai aur koi maikhana kahe hai/ Duniya teri aankhon ko bhi kya kya na kahe hai. Love you.”

Anil Kapoor, who starred with Irrfan Khan in the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, wrote an extensive note on Twitter: “Indescribably saddened to hear that we’ve lost Irrfan Khan. I’ll always be thankful to him for taking care of Sonam when they worked together & for being her guiding light at the time. He was an inspiration for everyone, a remarkable actor, unmatched talent & a great human being.”

An emotional Nawazuddin Siddiqui, who acted with Irrfan Khan in films like Paan Singh Tomar, The Lunchbox and The Bypass, wrote an extensive note: “In the year 2000 a film directed by Irrfan Khan named Alvida, starred me and I was lucky to have my mentor as my co-star in many films. No one will ever be able to fill his space in the entire world of cinema. Never thot in the worst of my dreams, that will have to say “Alvida” so soon. RIP.”

Irrfan Khan belonged to a family of Pashto-speaking Pathans from Tonk, claiming a royal lineage from his mother’s side. As a graduate of the prestigious National School of Drama in Delhi, he rose from the ranks. After impressive performances on TV in the late 1980s and 1990s, he began getting roles in movies at the turn of the millennium.

First came the British drama The Warrior (2001), and then two films that defined his career in Hindi cinema: Tigamanshu Dhulia’s Haasil (2003) and Vishal Bhardwaj’s Maqbool (2004). Irrfan then got a break from dark, broody characters, when he acted in The Namesake (2006), another superlative performance that described his range. Life of Pi and Slumdog Millionaire made it big in Hollywood, the latter picking up several academy awards and the former getting a clutch of nominations.

In Maqbool and Haider, Irrfan Khan creatively interpreted two stories adapted from Shakes­peare’s tragedies — Macbeth and Hamlet — respectively.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2020