Legendary actor Irrfan Khan passes away

The real King Khan of Bollywood, Irrfan Khan has died in Mumbai after battling medical complications arising from a colon infection.

His death was confirmed by his close friend, filmmaker Shoojit Sircar.

“My dear friend Irfaan. You fought and fought and fought. I will always be proud of you. We shall meet again,” wrote Sircar.

He'd been admitted to the intensive care unit of Kokilaben hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday and on Wednesday morning, a statement was released confirming his death.

‘I trust, I have surrendered,’ these were the some of the many words that Irrfan expressed in a heart felt note he wrote in 2018 opening up about his fight with cancer. A man of few words and an actor of silent expressions with his deep eyes and his memorable actions on screen. It’s saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away."

"Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him. After having been struck by lightning in 2018 with the news of a rare cancer, he took life soon after as it came and he fought the many battles that came with it.

Surrounded by his love, his family for whom he most cared about, he left for heaven abode, leaving behind truly a legacy of his own. We all pray and hope that he is at peace. And to resonate and part with his words he had said, ‘As if I was tasting life for the first time, the magical side of it’."

He had been battling health issues for the past couple of years, and was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer, a rare form of the disease in early 2018. He was receiving treatment in London and even returned to India to wrap up his pending shootings.

Khan was last seen in Angrezi Medium which ran in theatres for just a day before cinema halls all over India were shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

He's known for a range of characters, appearing in several memorable flicks such as The Lunchbox, Haider, Piku, Blackmail, Hindi Medium, amongst others. He was also part of Hollywood outings such as Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire, Inferno, Jurassic World, The Amazing Spider-Man, etc.

He was 54 and is survived by his wife, Sutapa Sikdar and two sons, Babil and Ayan.