- Lived
- 53 yrs
- 1967 – 2020
- Works listed
- 8
- Film
- Honours
- 2
- Most recent 2012
- Profile views
- 0
- 0 followers
Irrfan Khan was an Indian actor celebrated for his understated, naturalistic style in Hindi films and Hollywood productions alike, from Maqbool and Paan Singh Tomar to Life of Pi and Jurassic World. He died in 2020 at the age of 53.
Biography
Training and television
Irrfan trained at the National School of Drama in Delhi. After a brief appearance in Salaam Bombay! (1988), he spent years in television serials and small film roles.
Breakthrough
International notice came with The Warrior (2001), followed in India by Haasil (2003) and Maqbool (2004), a Macbeth adaptation. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor for Paan Singh Tomar (2012) and earned praise for The Lunchbox (2013), Piku (2015) and Hindi Medium (2017).
Style
Directors and critics praised Irrfan for doing a great deal with very little: quiet stillness, expressive eyes and a natural delivery that set him apart from the more theatrical tradition of Hindi cinema. He moved easily between independent films, mainstream Bollywood and Hollywood blockbusters, and was one of the few Indian actors with a sustained international career.
Hollywood and legacy
Irrfan became the best-known Indian face in Hollywood through The Namesake, The Darjeeling Limited, Slumdog Millionaire, The Amazing Spider-Man, Life of Pi, Jurassic World and Inferno. Diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in 2018, he died in Mumbai on 29 April 2020. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2011.
Illness and final films
In March 2018 he announced he had a neuroendocrine tumour and underwent treatment in London. He returned to finish Angrezi Medium (2020), his final film, released weeks before his death on 29 April 2020 at the age of 53. His death prompted tributes from across the world of cinema; his son Babil has since become an actor.
Legacy
Irrfan is remembered as one of India’s finest actors, admired for understated, naturalistic performances that bridged Hindi cinema and international film. His success in films such as The Lunchbox, Life of Pi and Paan Singh Tomar showed that Indian actors could succeed globally without conventional stardom. He died in April 2020 after a long illness, prompting tributes from around the world.
Timeline
-
1967
Born in Jaipur, Rajasthan
-
1988
Film debut in Salaam Bombay!
-
1988
Graduates from the National School of Drama
-
2001
The Warrior
International breakthrough.
-
2004
Maqbool
-
2006
The Namesake
-
2008
Slumdog Millionaire
-
2011
Padma Shri
-
2012
Life of Pi; Paan Singh Tomar
National Award for Best Actor.
-
2013
The Lunchbox
-
2015
Jurassic World
-
2017
Hindi Medium
-
2018
Announces his illness
-
2020
Dies in Mumbai
On 29 April.
-
2020
Angrezi Medium
His final film.
-
2020
Died, aged 53
Notable works
-
2004
Maqbool Film
-
2012
Paan Singh Tomar Film
-
2012
Life of Pi Film
-
2013
The Lunchbox Film
-
2015
Jurassic World Film
-
2006
The Namesake Film
-
2017
Hindi Medium Film
-
2020
Angrezi Medium Film
Awards and honours
-
Padma Shri
2011
-
National Film Award for Best Actor
2012 · For Paan Singh Tomar.
Did you know?
-
1
He dropped the “Khan” from his screen name, preferring simply “Irrfan”.
-
2
He played a police inspector in Slumdog Millionaire.
-
3
His son Babil Khan is also an actor.
Gallery
Connections
Frequently asked
Who is Irrfan Khan?
Irrfan Khan was an Indian actor celebrated for his understated, naturalistic style in Hindi films and Hollywood productions alike, from Maqbool and Paan Singh Tomar to Life of Pi and Jurassic World. He died in 2020 at the age of 53.
When did Irrfan Khan die?
Irrfan Khan died on 29 April 2020 at the age of 53.
Where is Irrfan Khan from?
Irrfan Khan was born in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
What is Irrfan Khan known for?
Irrfan Khan is best known for Paan Singh Tomar, The Lunchbox, Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire.
What awards has Irrfan Khan received?
Notable honours include Padma Shri (2011), National Film Award for Best Actor (2012).
Who is Irrfan Khan married to?
Spouse: Sutapa Sikdar (m. 1995).
References
- Irrfan Khan — Wikipedia. Wikipedia. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Irrfan Khan — IMDb. IMDb. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Irrfan Khan — Hindi Wikipedia. Wikipedia (Hindi). Retrieved 26 October 2026.
- Irrfan Khan (Q360927) — structured data. Wikidata. Retrieved 26 October 2026.
External links
About this profile
- Researched by the TrackFame editors; reviewed by Sanjay Sokal
- First published 26 October 2026
- Last updated
Cite this page
“Irrfan Khan.” TrackFame, last updated 26 October 2026. https://trackfame.com/person/irrfan-khan
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