Irrfan Khan, an icon of Indian cinema who had a string of Anglo-American successes under his belt, has died in Mumbai, it was reported Wednesday.
The cinema star, who appeared in hundreds of regional and international films including Slumdog Millionaire, Life of Pi and Jurassic World, was admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital for a colon infection Tuesday, but succumbed to sickness a short time later.
Khan had previously been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine (hormonal) tumor, which typically grows in the intestine, but it is unknown if the two ailments were related.
The Bollywood sector and political arena was in shock Wednesday morning after Khan’s death was reported, with many taking to social media and publications to express their fond memories of the actor, who made a name for himself in North America with a variety of blockbuster hits.
Indian prime minister Narendra Modi said that Khan’s demise was “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.”
Another Bollywood actor, Amitabh Bachchan, mentioned Khan’s passing away remaining a “huge vacuum.”
“An outstanding skill, a gracious colleague, a prolific contributor to the world of cinema … left us too early,” tweeted Bachchan.
In Mar. 2018, Khan revealed that he was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour, but after considerable treatment, he healedwell enough to helm the film Angrezi Medium, the motion picture that could grow to be his last.
The film was released quickly last month as a direct result of the ongoing COVID-19 Coronavirus pandemic.
Well known to English-speaking viewers as the authority’s inspector in Slumdog Millionaire and the role of Simon Masrani in Jurassic World, Khan was a Bollywood mainstay, acting in films such as Haider, Piku and Hindi Moderate.
