On April 29, 2020, the world bid farewell to Irrfan Khan, a cinematic genius whose performances transcended borders and genres. Known for his nuanced portrayals in films like The Lunchbox, Paan Singh Tomar, and Life of Pi, Irrfan’s legacy continues to inspire. Beyond his acclaimed roles, here are five lesser-known facets of his life that highlight the depth of his journey.
Born into a zamindar family in Tonk, Rajasthan, Irrfan had royal ancestry. Despite family expectations to join the family business, he carved his own unique path into acting, giving the world a treasure it would have otherwise missed.
Before acting captured his destiny, Irrfan dreamt of becoming a professional cricketer. Fate, however, had other plans, leading him to the National School of Drama (NSD) in 1984 on a scholarship.
In his early days in Mumbai, Irrfan worked as an air-conditioner repairman. It was during one of his service calls that he once visited the house of legendary actor Rajesh Khanna, unaware that he too would later become a celebrated name.
Irrfan himself added an extra ‘R’ to his name, hence the name IRRFAN which brought him such charm.
Irrfan Khan could have been a part of Interstellar, but he rejected the Christopher Nolan film as he had already given his dates to The Lunchbox and D-Day.
Irrfan Khan’s journey was marked by resilience, humility, and an unwavering commitment to his craft. His legacy serves as a testament to the power of passion and perseverance
