Bollywood Legend and 'Slumdog Millionaire' Actor Irrfan Khan Dies at 53
He also starred in such films as 'Life of Pi,' 'The Darjeeling Limited' and 'Jurassic World'
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.
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. pic.twitter.com/BwobeLvNLn
— Riz Ahmed (@rizwanahmed) April 29, 2020
We have lost one of the finest Actor. He fought till the very end. Irrfan Khan you shall always be missed. Condolences to the Family. #IrrfanKhan #RestInPeace
— Boney Kapoor (@BoneyKapoor) April 29, 2020
The charisma you brought to everything you did was pure magic. 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. pic.twitter.com/vjhd5aoFhc
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) April 29, 2020
A grateful fan of #IrrfanKhan here. Gone too soon. When he is on screen, you can't take your eyes off of him. He lives on in his films. pic.twitter.com/aA9RAjsxSl
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 29, 2020
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