Irrfan Khan — the India actor who found success in both Bollywood and in Hollywood with films like Slumdog Millionaire and Life of Pi — has died. The actor passed away this morning at the age of 53.
While a cause of death has yet to be officially revealed, Khan was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in March 2018, and he was recently admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital due to a colon infection, according to his reps.
"It's saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away," Khan's reps said in a statement. "Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end, and always inspired everyone who came close to him."
In Bollywood, Khan made his film debut in the Academy Award-nominated Salaam Bombay! in 1988. Following that small role, he went on to become one of Bollywood's most loved and prolific actors, starring in countless films in India. Some of these include Haasil (2003), Maqbool (2004) and Paan Singh Tomar (2011), which won him the National Film Award for Best Actor.
Khan also found success outside Bollywood. In 2001, he starred in the BAFTA-winning U.K. film The Warrior, leading to roles in Michael Winterbottom's A Mighty Heart in 2003 and Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited in 2007.
For many, though, Khan will be best remembered for his role in Danny Boyle's 2008 hit Slumdog Millionaire, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. He also appeared in such U.S. productions as Life of Pi, The Amazing Spider-Man and Jurassic World.
Tributes to Khan have been pouring in since the news of his death broke early this morning, including from India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who tweeted, "Irrfan Khan's demise is a loss to the world of cinema and theatre. He will be remembered for his versatile performances across different mediums. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace."
Down below, you can find several more tributes to Khan.
While a cause of death has yet to be officially revealed, Khan was diagnosed with neuroendocrine cancer in March 2018, and he was recently admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital due to a colon infection, according to his reps.
"It's saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away," Khan's reps said in a statement. "Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end, and always inspired everyone who came close to him."
In Bollywood, Khan made his film debut in the Academy Award-nominated Salaam Bombay! in 1988. Following that small role, he went on to become one of Bollywood's most loved and prolific actors, starring in countless films in India. Some of these include Haasil (2003), Maqbool (2004) and Paan Singh Tomar (2011), which won him the National Film Award for Best Actor.
Khan also found success outside Bollywood. In 2001, he starred in the BAFTA-winning U.K. film The Warrior, leading to roles in Michael Winterbottom's A Mighty Heart in 2003 and Wes Anderson's The Darjeeling Limited in 2007.
For many, though, Khan will be best remembered for his role in Danny Boyle's 2008 hit Slumdog Millionaire, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. He also appeared in such U.S. productions as Life of Pi, The Amazing Spider-Man and Jurassic World.
Tributes to Khan have been pouring in since the news of his death broke early this morning, including from India Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who tweeted, "Irrfan Khan's demise is a loss to the world of cinema and theatre. He will be remembered for his versatile performances across different mediums. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace."
Down below, you can find several more tributes to Khan.
Irrfan Khan's demise is a loss to the world of cinema and theatre. He will be remembered for his versatile performances across different mediums. My thoughts are with his family, friends and admirers. May his soul rest in peace.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 29, 2020