Irrfan Khan obit

'Slumdog Millionaire,' 'Life of Pi' actor Irrfan Khan dies at 54: 'He was an inspiration'

He was not on the list.

Irrfan Khan, a veteran character actor in Bollywood movies and a one of India's best-known exports to Hollywood, has died. He was 54.

Khan played the police inspector in “Slumdog Millionaire” and the park executive Masrani in “Jurassic World.” He also appeared in “The Amazing Spider-Man” and the adventure fantasy “Life of Pi.” He was in Inferno with Tom Hanks. He voiced Baloo in the 2016 Hindi version of the movie The Jungle Book..

Khan died Wednesday after being admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital with a colon infection.

“Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him,” a statement released by the actor’s team said.

Khan made his screen debut in the Academy Award-nominated 1988 drama “Salaam Bombay!,” a tale of Mumbai’s street children. He later worked with directors Mira Nair, Wes Anderson and Ang Lee.

In a statement to USA TODAY, Lee called Khan "a great artist, a true gentleman and a brave fighter.

"His passing away is cinema’s loss," he added. "We will miss him dearly. May you Rest In Peace my dear friend."

Khan in 2018 was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine cancer and underwent months of treatment in the United Kingdom.

“I trust, I have surrendered,” he wrote in a heartfelt note after he broke the news of his battle with cancer.

Khan won a number of film awards in India, including a 2012 Indian National Film Award for best actor for his performance in “Paan Singh Tomar,” a compelling tale of a seven-time national champion athlete who quit India’s armed forces to rule the Chambal ravines in central India.

Khan received an Independent Spirit Award for supporting actor in 2006 for the Indian-American drama “The Namesake” and a viewers’ choice award at the Cannes festival 2013 for his role in the Indian romantic drama “The Lunchbox.”

Khan also starred in the Hamlet-inspired “Haider,” a Bollywood film set in militarized Himalayan Kashmir.

In an interview with The Associated Press in 2018, Khan said: “I’ve seen life from a completely different angle. You sit down and you see the other side and that’s fascinating. I’m engaged on a journey.”

Khan's last Bollywood movie, “Angrezi Medium,” a sequel to one of his biggest hits, “Hindi Medium” (2017), was released before India went into a lockdown in March because of the coronavirus pandemic.

He is survived by his wife, television writer and producer Sutapa Sikdar, and sons, Babil and Ayan.

Tributes came from Bollywood, including from fellow actor Amitabh Bachchan, who said Khan was an “incredible talent” and “a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema.”

Khan “left us too soon,” Bachchan wrote on Twitter.

Hollywood creators mourned Khan as well.

"The charisma you brought to everything you did was pure magic," Priyanka Chopra, who appeared in several titles with Khan. "Your talent forged the way for so many in so many avenues.. You inspired so many of us. #IrrfanKhan you will truly be missed. Condolences to the family."

Director Ava DuVernay called herself a "grateful fan" of Khan's.

"Gone too soon," she tweeted. "When he is on screen, you can’t take your eyes off of him. He lives on in his films."

Actor Riz Ahmed wrote: "Rest in peace one of the greatest actors of our time, Irrfan Khan. I never met him but he was an inspiration and a hero to me and millions of others. His work was consistently transcendent, he was a guiding light for so many of us."

Actor (158 credits)

  Alibaug (completed)

 2021 Murder at Teesri Manzil 302

Mr. Chand

 2020 Angrezi Medium

Champak Bansal

 2019 Love Sucks (Short)

 2018 Karwaan

Shaukat

 2018/I Blackmail

Dev Kaushal

 2018 Dana Paani - Full Video, Qarib Qarib Singlle (Video short)

Yogi

 2018/II Puzzle

Robert

 2017 Qarib Qarib Single

Yogendra 'Yogi' Kumar Devendra Nath Prajapati

 2017 Tokyo Trial

Radhabinod Pal

 2017 The Song of Scorpions

Aadam

 2017 Doob - No Bed of Roses

Javed Hasan

 2017 Hindi Medium

Raj Batra

 2016 Tokyo Trial (TV Mini Series)

Radhabinod Pal

- Episode #1.4 (2016) ... Radhabinod Pal

- Episode #1.3 (2016) ... Radhabinod Pal

- Episode #1.2 (2016) ... Radhabinod Pal

- Episode #1.1 (2016) ... Radhabinod Pal

 2016/I Inferno

Harry Sims

 2016 Madaari

Nirmal Kumar

 2015 Bajirao Mastani

Narrator (voice, uncredited)

 2015 Lego Dimensions (Video Game)

Simon Masarani (voice, as Irrfan Kahn)

 2015 Talvar

Ashwin Kumar

 2015 Jazbaa

Yohaan

 2015 Lego Jurassic World (Video Game)

Simon Masrani (voice)

 2015 Jurassic World

Masrani

 2015 Piku

Rana (as Irrfan)

 2014 Haider

Roohdaar

 2014 The Xpose

Alec D'Costa

 2014 Gunday

Satya

 2013 Qissa: The Tale of a Lonely Ghost

Umber Singh (as Irrfan)

 2013/I D-Day

Wali Khan (as Irrfan)

 2013 Meridian Lines

Devraj

 2013 The Lunchbox

Saajan Fernandes

 2013 Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns

Indarjeet Singh

 2012 Life of Pi

Adult Pi Patel

 2012 The Amazing Spider-Man

Rajit Ratha

 2012 Paan Singh Tomar

Paan Singh Tomar

 2011/I Thank You

Vikram

 2011 7 Khoon Maaf

Wasiullah Khan (3rd husband)

 2011 Yeh Saali Zindagi

Arun

 2010 In Treatment (TV Series)

Sunil Sanyal

- Sunil: Week Seven (2010) ... Sunil Sanyal

- Sunil: Week Six (2010) ... Sunil Sanyal

- Sunil: Week Five (2010) ... Sunil Sanyal

- Sunil: Week Four (2010) ... Sunil Sanyal

- Sunil: Week Three (2010) ... Sunil Sanyal

Show all 7 episodes

 2010 Hisss

Vinkram Gupta

 2010 Knock Out

Tony Khosla

 2010 Right Yaaa Wrong

Inspector Vinay Patnaik (as Irrfan)

 2009 Acid Factory

Kaiser

 2009 New York

Roshan (as Irrfan)

 2009 Billu

Billu (as Irrfan)

 2008 Dil Kabaddi

Samit

 2008 New York, I Love You

Mansukhbhai (segment "Mira Nair")

 2008 Slumdog Millionaire

Police Inspector

 2008 Chamku

Vijayraj Kapur

 2008 Mumbai Meri Jaan

Thomas (as Irrfan)

 2008 Krazzy 4

Dr. Mukherjee

 2008 One Two Three

Narrator

 2008/I Migration (Short)

Abhay

 2008/I Sunday

Kumar Mangat

 2008 Tulsi: Mathrudevobhava

Suraj

 2007 Aaja Nachle

Farooque - Najma's husband

 2007 Apna Asmaan

Ravi Kumar

 2007 The Darjeeling Limited

The Father

 2007 A Mighty Heart

Captain

 2007 Life in a Metro

Monty

 2007 Mano Ya Na Mano (TV Series)

Host

- Fortune Teller (2007) ... Host

- Dr. M. P. Goel Is Killed By The Police ... Host

- Both Sides Of Numerology ... Host

- Varsha Has Visions Of The Future On Her Thumbnail ... Host

- Autowriting ... Host

Show all 9 episodes

 2007 Partition

Avtar Singh

 2006 Mr. 100%

Mr. Perfect

 2006 Sainikudu

Pappu Yadav

 2006 Deadline: Sirf 24 Ghante

Krish Vaidya (as Irrfan)

 2006 The Namesake

Ashoke

 2006 The Killer

Vikram / Roopchand Swaroopchand Solanki

 2006 What If?

Salim Rajabali (as 'Irrfan')

 2006 Irrfan Auditions for a Hollywood Film Role (Short)

 2005 Dubai Return

Aftab Angrez

 2005 The Film

Shameem bhai (voice)

 2005 7 1/2 Phere: More Than a Wedding

Manoj Joshi

 2005 Chocolate: Deep Dark Secrets

Pipi

 2005 Rajkumari (Short)

 2005 Chehraa

Chandranath Diwan

 2005 Rog

Inspector Uday Rathore

 2004 Adhikaar (TV Series)

- Episode #1.2 (2004)

 2004 Shadows of Time

Yani

 2004 Aan: Men at Work

Yusuf Pathan

 2004 Charas: A Joint Effort

Ranbhir Singh Rathore / Policeman

 2003 Bokshu the Myth

 2003 Road to Ladakh

Shafiq

 2003 Maqbool

Maqbool (as Irrfan)

 2003 Muqammal (TV Series) (2003)

 2003 The Bypass (Short)

Policeman

 2003 Footpath

Sheikh

 2003 Supari

Baba (as Irfaan Khan)

 2003 Haasil

Ranvijay Singh (as Irrfan)

 2003 Dhund: The Fog

Ajit Khurana (as Irrfan)

 2002 Haathi Ka Anda

 2002 Pratha

Ninni Pandey / Babu Mallah

 2002 Gunaah

ACP Digvijay Pandey

 2002 Kali Salwaar

Shanker

 2001 The Warrior

Lafcadia - Warrior

 2001 Ssshhhh... Koi Hai (TV Series)

Film Director Amar

- Mumkin (2001) ... Film Director Amar

 2001 Kasoor

Prosecutor Mehta (as Irfan Khan)

 1997-2000 Jai Hanuman (TV Series)

Valmiki

- Kaliyug's Conspiracy (2000) ... Valmiki

- Ramayan Gets Stolen (2000) ... Valmiki

- Tulsidas To Meet Ram (2000) ... Valmiki

- Ratna Leaves The House (2000) ... Valmiki

- Tulsidas Believes In Ram (2000) ... Valmiki

Show all 178 episodes

 2000 Ghaath

Mamu / Romesh Bhagwat Dogra

 2000 Zameer (TV Series)

 1999 Bestsellers: Ek Shaam Ki Mulakaat (TV Series)

- Ek Shaam Ki Mulaqat (1999) ... (as Irfan Khan)

 1999 Govind Aur Ganesh (TV Series) (2000)

 1999 The Goal

 1999 Star Bestsellers: Fursat Mein (TV Series)

 1999 Geeta Rahasya (TV Series)

Kans

 1999 Rishtey: The Violin Sonata (Video Game)

 1999 Star Bestsellers (TV Series)

 1998 Bada Din

Police Inspector

 1998 Such a Long Journey

Gustad's dad

 1998 X-Zone (TV Series)

- Dahak: Part 1

 1998 Bhanwar (TV Series)

 1998 Gardish (TV Series) (1998)

 1998 Sparsh (TV Series)

 1997 Private Detective: Two Plus Two Plus One

Inspector Khan

 1997 Bombay Blue (TV Mini Series)

Ramiz

- Episode #1.5 (1997) ... Ramiz (as Irfan Khan)

- Episode #1.4 (1997) ... Ramiz (as Irfan Khan)

- Episode #1.3 (1997) ... Ramiz (as Irfan Khan)

 1997 Jaane Kahan Mera Jigar Gaya Ji (TV Series)

 1997 Naya Daur (TV Series) (1997)

 1997 Salaam Mumbai (TV Movie)

 1996 Just Mohabbat (TV Series) (1997)

 1996 Tere Mere Sapne (TV Series)

 1996 Safar (TV Series) (1996)

 1996 Adhikar (TV Series) (1996)

 1996 Satya (TV Series) (1997)

 1995 Adhura

 1995 Gumarah (TV Series)

 1995 Darr (TV Series)

Serial Killer

 1994 Banegi Apni Baat (TV Series)

- Episode #1.1 (1994)

- Episode #1.310

- Episode #1.311

- Episode #1.309

- Episode #1.308

Show all 312 episodes

 1994 Chandrakanta (TV Series)

Badrinath / Somnath / Somnath (1995-1997) / ...

- Episode #1.133 (1994) ... Badrinath / Somnath (1995-1997)

- Episode #1.61 (1994) ... Badrinath / Somnath (1995-1997)

- Episode #1.60 (1994) ... Badrinath / Somnath (1995-1997)

- Episode #1.21 (1994) ... Badrinath / Somnath (1995-1997)

- Episode #1.19 (1994) ... Badrinath / Somnath

Show all 133 episodes

 1994 The Great Maratha (TV Mini Series)

Najeeb Khan

- Episode #1.47 (1994) ... Najeeb Khan

- Episode #1.1 (1994) ... Najeeb Khan

- Episode #1.46 ... Najeeb Khan

- Episode #1.45 ... Najeeb Khan

- Episode #1.43 ... Najeeb Khan

Show all 47 episodes

 1994 Purush

 1994 Vaade Iraade

Naresh Tripathi

 1994 The Cloud Door (Short) (as Irfan)

 1994 Sara Jahan Hamara (TV Series) (1994)

 1994 Humrahi (TV Series)

 1994 Hum Bambai Nahin Jayenge (TV Series)

- Librarian (1994)

 1993 Karamati Coat

Jaggu

 1993 Kirdaar (TV Series)

Malti's Boyfriend / Sarwan

- Haath Peele Kar Do (1993) ... Malti's Boyfriend

- Hisaab Kitaab ... Sarwan (as Irfan)

 1993 AnuGoonj (TV Series)

 1993 Dillagi (TV Series) (1993)

 1993 Ek Thi Maria (Short)

Maria's lover

 1993 Makaan (TV Series) (1993)

 1993 Shesh Prashna (TV Series)

 1992 Laal Ghaas Par Neele Ghode (TV Movie)

Lenin

 1992 Mrityunjay (TV Series)

Dhanpur

 1992 Mujhse Dosti Karoge

 1991 Little Eyolf (TV Movie)

 1991 Pita

 1991 Kahkashan (TV Series)

 1990 Chanakya (TV Series)

Senapati

 1990 Ek Doctor Ki Maut

Amulya

 1990 Reconnaissance (Short) (uncredited)

 1990 Drishti

Rahul

 1990 Sanjha Chula (TV Series)

 1990 Titli (TV Movie)

 1989 Kamla Ki Maut

Ajit

 1989 Bharat Ek Khoj (TV Series)

Bade Khan / Saleem / Samiullah / ...

- Epilogue (1989)

- Separatism (1989) ... Saleem (as Irfan Khan)

- And Gandhi Came: Part 2 (1989) ... Bade Khan (as Irfan Khan)

- And Gandhi Came: Part 1 (1989) ... Bade Khan (as Irfan Khan)

- Sir Syed Ahmed Khan (1989) ... Samiullah (as Irfan Khan)

 1988 Salaam Bombay!

Scribe (as Irfan Khan)

 1987 Shrikant (TV Series)

Abhaya's husband

- Episode #1.1 (1987) ... Abhaya's husband

 1986 Katha Sagar (TV Series)

- Ward No. 6: Part 1 (1986)

 1983 Kaala Jal (TV Series) (1984)