Popular Bollywood Actor, Irrfan Khan Is Dead At 53
It’s a sad day in the Indian movie industry as Bollywood star, Irrfan Khan, widely known for roles in Slumdog Millionaire, Jurassic World, and Life of Pi, dies after battling a medical complication arising from colon infection.
According to an official statement from his spokesperson, Irrfan breathed his last on Wednesday, April 29. The actor was admitted to the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital in Mumbai where he passed away at the age of 53.
Irrfan is survived by wife Sutapa Sikder, and sons Babil and Ayan. The actor opened up on Twitter in 2018 that he was diagnosed with an endocrine tumour, a rare illness affecting cells that release hormones into the bloodstream. He later underwent treatment in a London hospital.
Two months after he opened up in a tweet, he wrote an open letter about his experience with the cancer treatment. In the letter, he spoke about the “intensity” of his pain and the “uncertainty” of life.
His death was announced in a statement released on Wednesday. The statement reads: “‘I trust, i have surrendered’; These were the some of the many words that Irrfan expressed in a heartfelt note he wrote in 2018, opening up about his fight with cancer. And a man of few words and an actor of silent expressions with his deep eyes and his memorable actions on screen.
“It’s saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away. Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him.
“After having been struck by lightning in 2018 with the news of a rare cancer, he took life soon after as it came and he fought the many battles that came with it.
“Surrounded by his love, his family for whom he most cared about, he left for his heavenly abode, leaving behind truly a legacy of his own. We all pray and hope that he is at peace. And to resonate and part with his words he had said, ‘As if I was tasting life for the first time, the magical side of it’.”
Fellow Bollywood stars and politicians have since taken to social media to mourn him.
