Full Name: Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan (Irrfan Khan)
Date of Birth: January 7, 1967
Birthplace: Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Died: April 29, 2020 (Mumbai, Maharashtra, India)
Nationality: Indian
Profession: Actor
Years Active: 1985–2020
Spouse: Sutapa Sikdar (m. 1995)
Children: Babil Khan, Ayaan Khan
Early Life & Education
Irrfan Khan was born into a middle-class Muslim family in Rajasthan. His father, Yaseen Ali Khan, ran a tire business, while his mother, Saeeda Begum, belonged to a royal family background.
Initially, he aspired to be a cricketer but later developed a passion for acting. He pursued his studies at the National School of Drama (NSD), New Delhi, graduating in 1987.
After NSD, he moved to Mumbai and began his journey in television and theatre.
Career in Acting
Early Struggles (1985-2000)
- Started with small roles in TV shows like “Chanakya,” “Bharat Ek Khoj,” and “Banegi Apni Baat.”
- Faced challenges due to Bollywood’s preference for “conventional” heroes.
- Acted in art-house and parallel cinema but remained unnoticed for years.
Breakthrough & Rise to Fame (2001-2010)
Irrfan’s first major breakthrough came with “The Warrior” (2001), a British film directed by Asif Kapadia, which gained international acclaim.
- Maqbool (2003) – A powerful role in Vishal Bhardwaj’s adaptation of Macbeth.
- Haasil (2003) – Won a Filmfare Award for Best Villain for his performance.
- Life in a… Metro (2007) – Earned praise for his romantic role.
- The Namesake (2006) – A critically acclaimed performance in Mira Nair’s film.
- Slumdog Millionaire (2008) – Played a key role in the Oscar-winning film.
- Paan Singh Tomar (2012) – Won a National Award for Best Actor for portraying the real-life athlete-turned-bandit.
Hollywood & Global Recognition (2011-2020)
Irrfan Khan became a global star with roles in international films like:
- The Amazing Spider-Man (2012) – Played Dr. Ratha.
- Life of Pi (2012) – Portrayed the adult Pi Patel.
- Jurassic World (2015) – Played Simon Masrani, the park’s owner.
- Inferno (2016) – Starred alongside Tom Hanks.
Final Years & Legacy (2017-2020)
- Hindi Medium (2017) – A major hit, highlighting India’s education system.
- Karwaan (2018) – A heartwarming road trip film.
- Angrezi Medium (2020) – His last film, released after his illness.
In 2018, Irrfan was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine tumor. He sought treatment in London but passed away in April 2020 due to complications.
Awards & Achievements
- Padma Shri Award (2011) – India’s fourth-highest civilian honor.
- National Film Award for Best Actor (Paan Singh Tomar, 2012)
- Filmfare Awards: Multiple wins, including Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.
Personal Life
Irrfan married Sutapa Sikdar, a writer from NSD, in 1995. They had two sons, Babil Khan (who is now entering Bollywood) and Ayaan Khan.
Interesting Facts
- Originally spelled his name “Irfan” but later added an extra “r” (Irrfan) for no specific reason.
- Loved reading poetry and was deeply philosophical.
- Despite international fame, he remained grounded and often rejected Bollywood clichés.
Legacy
Irrfan Khan is remembered as one of India’s finest actors, known for his natural performances, powerful screen presence, and deep storytelling.
