Buff Tributes: Remembering Legendary Actor and Artist Irrfan Khan One Year After His Untimely Passing 


We all carry a fondness for the world of cinema and the people who are connected to it. The composite spheres of cinema are full of growth and hard work anecdotes. One such inspiring journey was of one of the most remarkable artists of late, actor Irrfan Khan. His untimely death was a revelation and setback for fans, peers, and the ordinary too. It gives us an impeccable reality of existence. We are stuck finding gaiety in avarice and fame, but maybe entity is beyond always that.

A native of a small town in Jaipur Tonk, Irrfan engaged us, showed us emotions, made us chuckle, and influenced us personally and professionally. In life, one can articulate negligence, and one can talk about eminence. Irrfan spoke both artistically.

In this article, I speak about the stunning characters projected and perfected by the masterful, elegant actor. With the persistent work he did to justify those personas, some of the intuitions on his ability, process, and significance, Irrfan has manifested the depth of his undeniable potential.

Lafcadia, ‘The Warrior’ (2001)

Irrfan was a trained actor who has done many stage plays and was mostly doing television shows and small parts in films which didn’t do any big wonder for him. Despite getting small pieces, he could bring impact to the people, but that was not enough. He felt disappointed and used to think a lot about his decision to choose acting. Right at that time, an Indian-British director Asif Kapadia wanted to make a film but could not have a big star. Due to the audience, he came across Irrfan, which turned out to be a breakthrough moment in the up-and-coming actor’s life.

The film was called “The Warrior,” and Irrfan played the role of Lafcadia, a warrior of the desert who is brutal but powerful at the same time. Irrfan picked method acting from the beginning that reflected in his first role here. He transforms himself entirely into a Rajasthani warrior. He wasn’t incredibly built, but he created such an aura with his long hair and toughness from the expressions. With this role, he showed that it doesn’t always take a big build to showcase power; the same is possible with intensity of emotions. “The Warrior” has many tight shots and Irrfan’s eyes get the job done. For this role, Irrfan received much praise, and it was the first performance of an artist who would become a legend one day.

Ranvijay Singh, ‘Haasil’ (2003)

Talent and diamonds have this one similarity—both take time to be found and formed in the right direction; it was same was in Irrfan Khan. He was serious about his craft, yet he wasn’t getting his due, but found himself cast in the grey role of Ranvijay Singh in the 2003 film “Haasil.”

The film is a love story set in a small town, involving college politics. Irrfan plays Ranvijay Singh, a student leader who loves his hometown and wants to change his people. Despite the negative role, in the end he takes away audiences’ hearts. 

Ranvijay was just his second significant role, and he chose the negative part. It just shows that dedicated actors will go to any length to get what he/she wishes to convey. Irrfan delivered this role with such smoothness and created fear from kinesics instead of action. He was so perfect in this role; you will hate his character but fall in love with his acting and dialogue delivery.

Maqbool, ‘Maqbool’ (2003)

Certain films will mesmerize you and will leave you with such an impact that they stay with you. “Maqbool” was an adaptation of Shakespeare’s famous play “Macbeth,” where Irrfan played the lead role of Maqbool along with many talented actors. Irrfan held his own as the ostensible dramatis personae and maneuver clear of any usual representation of a Muslim mobster. 

In comparison, legendary actor Pankaj Kapur—who played the role of a gang boss— used orthodox ideograms like burly beards and kohl-rimmed eyes. At the same time, Irrfan’s character only had two tiny trinkets and a talisman to do the deception.

The role of Maqbool is about a man of malfeasance caught between adoration and fidelity. His character goes through extreme circumstances from a singular to two-dimensional in terms of gradual moral lapse in character. While in the beginning, Irrfan is wearing royal blue and black clothing, later (as the role shifts), he subse dressed in whites and greys. Irrfan shows that he was using each element to give the right message demanded by his part.

His performance was so intense that, as viewers, we are divided between men in trouble due to his actions and his hopeless difficulties. This movie also established him as an artist who was subtle, but still brandished a sledgehammer’s potentiality. Sadly the film failed at the Box Office but received cult status within time. Irrfan acting brought life to Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” To date, this is among one of his best performances that is an inspiration to many.

Ashoke Ganguli,  ‘The Namesake’ (2006)

The film is directed by Mira Nair, who spotted Irrfan in his theatre days and offered him a role cut off in the film’s final edit. At that time, Irrfan was young, but that experience made him ready for whatever will come next to it. Years after, Mira Nair cast him in the vital role of Ashoke Ganguli in the film “The Namesake,” a Bengali Indian living in the United States with his family. The story is as beautiful as the acting of Irrfan is in the film.

As Ashoke Ganguli, Irrfan plays the young version, which introduces the world to his kids, and the older version that is helpless with the new changes in the world and his kids.

Irrfan again used his appearance as a tool for the younger part. He used awkward glasses, an oversized t-shirt, and bulky jackets, which displayed that he is now in a western country. As the character grew older, it transformed to depict trousers and a tucked-in a shirt that shows his comfort due to living longer in the west of the country. 

Irrfan has displayed the great use of holding the words through lines in this film; he showcases that impact can also be shown through quietness. The role of Ashoke was so flawless that one would soak into his performance and the deepness of his eyes.

Paan Singh Tomar, ‘Paan Singh Tomar’ (2012)

“Paan Singh Tomar” was a biography of a gold medal-winning athlete who turns into a dacoit due to social situations. Irrfan heard the subject, and he was surprised as he did not know it and there was not enough material on the once-National games winner. He helped in research for the story, as he was always very curious to understand the depth of the character from his starting days of acting. 

For “Paan Singh Tomar,” Irrfan lost some weight and participated in the running and training, as he was playing Paan Singh from his younger to his middle age version. For the role, he has adapted the Chambal dialect so that one cannot identify any mistake in it. To bring the rawness to his position, he achieves rage through emotion. The encounter of seeing him metamorphose from athlete to a fabled dacoit is believable and well-done. 

He enthralled the viewers with his enchanting eyes that showcased his character’s sentiments in a sight. At the end of the film, Pann Singh takes place in a shootout; the film focuses on Irrfan’s face while trying to escape. His expressions showcased the misery and sorrow of his character perfectly without any lines. Not many know this, but this film was very challenging for Irrfan due to the incidence he encounters during the film, in form injuries to the film’s struggle getting a release. He once mentions that he was so involved that he believes that those encounters were the connecting line between him and the real-life character. The film releases with no promotion and turns out successful both critically and commercially. Many will remember the film as one of the most exemplary roles of Irrfan.

Pi Patel, ‘Life of Pi’

“Life of Pi” is among the finest film by Ang Lee that talks about life from a young boy’s journey. Irrfan plays a vital part in the film as narrator and grown-up version of Pi. His voices bring much-needed depth to the storyline.

In the ending of the film, where Irrfan is delivering the line, he uses one of his signature methods to pause to put the emphasis on the lines. The impact he created with his will takes you with him as he speaks his lines. 

Ang lee shared that the last scene was the most crucial sequence of the film, and it was shot before the Irrfan scene. He couldn’t see it as at that time because the post-production work was going on, so he just narrated the emotions. The background of the story, while Irrfan cried while his eyes were moving—which was not part of the script—shows how connected he was with his role.

 Saajan Fernandes, ‘The Lunchbox’ (2013)

This film needs no introduction; it’s one of the finest films that showcase such a heart-warming story. Irrfan plays the lead role of Saajan Fernandes, a lonely accountant about to retire who forms a unique relationship with a lady through letters.

For the role of Fernandez, Irrfan kept the faded color clothing that implicates the faded nature of his life. For this role, he brought silence that showcases the maturity that his age needs. His effortless dialogue delivery showcases the loneliness of his role perfectly. In the film, the two lead protagonists never talk face to face, yet Irrfan shows great chemistry with female lead Nimrat Kaur with ease. In one critical scene Fernandes comes to meet Illa (the female Lead), but does not confront her. While many try to showcase these dialogues with words, Irrfan uses the long look with downturned eyes to showcase sad emotions.

There are many scenes in this film where Irrfan shows masterfully that silence does its wonder if used correctly.

Umber Singh – ‘Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost’ 

“Qissa” was a serious film set in partition time about a Sikh Man obsessed with his desire for the male child. The men have lost all in the Partition; this man does not have a male child, so he decides to bring up his daughter as male child. The role was challenging for Irrfan as he has never spoken the Punjabi language. Also, the part had complexity and thoughts that he never believed in. Yet he takes up the challenge to learn the language and adopt the role so well one would not think that he spoke the language for the first time.

Irrfan had to wear a turban for the entire shoot, which is difficult if you have to keep it on for long periods. Irrfan delivers the difficulty of the role masterfully with his appearance. He played both younger and older versions so well that one cannot identify that he was acting.

Roohdaar – ‘Haider’

The film is an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, where Irrfan plays the role of terrorist Roohdaar. The part was small yet very critical who light up the revenge tale. For this short role, Irrfan Graced with Kashmiri topi and clothing along with the dilate. He brings a visible limp in his role, which brings malformation and emblematic delineation of the protagonist’s penchant for the unusual.

His entry and voice give the audience spooky and intense vibes, which the audience will remember.

Ashwin Kumar, ‘Talvar’ (2015)

Based on the true story, this film is a murder mystery where parents are framed for the murder of their daughter. Irrfan Khan plays CBI officer Ashwin Kumar in the movie, who believes in honesty and intelligent work. Irrfan wears dark glasses in the film to give a sharper look to his role. While many portrayals of the officers often showcased power, Irrfan did the opposite by letting his eyes and lines do the job.

 Rana Chaudhry, ‘Piku’ (2015)

Irrfan was very pleased with this film. He mentioned that he was so pleased with the film that he was waiting outside the screening hall to wait and see people’s reaction. 

The film is based on a real subject that includes a father–daughter relationship through a journey. Irrfan plays a taxi company owner who has his own set of problems and is in constant arguments with his mother. For this role, he brings out a lot of improvisation; one of the scenes where three characters have an argument was not planned, but Irrfan went on to improvise and all played along. As a result, the scene turns out to be hilarious.

Throughout the film, Irrfan will mesmerize you with his ease and smoothness while saying his lines. He played the role in such a way that everyone can relate to his character. His straight-faced humor and adorable sarcasm stole everyone’s heart.

Nirmal Kumar – ‘Madaari’

This film is a thought-provoking movie that spoke about the reality of today’s world. The film’s story is about a father who lost his small kid in negligence of the government, and in anger of that he kidnaps the son of the Home Minister. Irrfan plays the lead role of Nirmal in the film; with his beautiful relation with the child in the first half to his provoking speech, he has nailed the part.

One of the most devastating scenes in the film is the hospital scene where Irrfan goes to find out about his kid. He brings out genuine emotion with loss, scared and shocked with his body language. The scene was so impactful that it could melt anyone’s heart. In fact, the entire scene was so serious that Irrfan said he did the whole shot in one take as it was too harsh for him to repeat it. Then he also produced the film. It is one of the best thrillers that also gives us an important message.

Yogi, ‘Qarib Qarib Singlle’ (2017)

The film is a fun love story that talks about men and women in their ‘30s. While the girl is a widow, the guy is single. They both meet through a dating site and later on a trip to a different India to re-visit the girlfriends of Male Yogi. 

Irrfan plays the role of Yogi, a poet with money and a sense of humor. The part is light-hearted, but Irrfan brings the magic of his own words in it. This film showcases that Irrfan can do anything from action to serious roles to light-hearted Yogi.

Raj Batra and Champak Bansal, ‘Hindi Medium’ and ‘Angrezi Medium’

Irrfan produced both of these films; they deal with essential subjects of today with a dose of laughter. In contrast, the first film story is about a family in Delhi wanting their small daughter to study in a reputed school. To accomplish this, they portray themselves as poor to ensure their daughter’s seat. In the role of Raj, Irrfan brought the Delhi dictates along with humor. His one-liners in the film are hilarious, along with his comic timing.

In one of the key scenes where Raj delivers the speech, Irrfan showcases the wide range of emotions with a great social message.

“Angrezi Medium” was the last film that Irrfan acted in. It’s a story of father and daughter, where Irrfan played the role of Champak. He delivers this role with ease, and his chemistry with on-screen daughter Radhika Madan is terrific.

Remembering a Great Man

Irrfan was a man with pearls of wisdom who was always curious and thriving to learn about things. He removed his last name as he believed that I am first a human being that does not need the last name before being anything. 

Despite having great praise and success from the world, he never called himself a hero. Consequently, he said he is just an artist. The real heroes put their lives in danger for others. While many try to trade fame for the money, Irrfan’s thinking was the opposite; he believed that money should not come between the craft. 

Irrfan has been offered many type-cast roles and throughout his acting journey; the constant struggle he finds breaks the stereotype image. He believed that most of his energy went in to break the image. It took a long time for Irrfan to get his due. But most importantly, he always said that his struggling days had made him the men he became.

In conclusion, Irrfan was boundless talent and a real fighter. Despite fighting cancer for almost four years, he never let it appear on-screen; he was one of the most diligent actors. Irrfan practised excellence and quietness in his craft as an actor. But above all, he believed in being strenuous and the illimitable moments it could bring. Irrfan played the characters as mentioned above and more, earning his name as one of his generation’s most magnetic true masters of his craft in his all-year acting.

He is no longer present with us; hopefully, he is at a good place. One will always sense his ethos and presence in his characters and seek true artists.

“I suppose, in the end, the whole of life becomes an act of letting go, but what always hurts the most is not taking a moment to say goodbye.” —Irrfan Khan

*If you have a favorite performance by Iffran Khan we forgot to mention, please let us know in the comments below.