New Delhi: India lost one of its finest actors Wednesday with Irrfan Khan’s death. Mourning Khan’s demise on Twitter were Bollywood actors as well as politicians.
Amitabh Bachchan, who acted with him in Piku, spoke about the “huge vacuum” left by Khan’s death in the Hindi film industry.
T 3516 – .. just getting news of the passing of Irfaan Khan .. this is a most disturbing and sad news .. 🙏
An incredible talent .. a gracious colleague .. a prolific contributor to the World of Cinema .. left us too soon .. creating a huge vacuum ..
Prayers and duas 🙏
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) April 29, 2020
Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra misses many aspects of the actor, one of them in particular.
https://twitter.com/IAmSudhirMishra/status/1255392996608086018?s=20
Actor Sonam Kapoor, who worked with the late actor in the 2011 movie Thank You, recalled his words of encouragement.
Rest in peace irrfan sir. You have no idea what your kindness and encouragement meant to me at my lowest. My condolences to your family and loved ones. @ Delhi, India https://t.co/L8fCwPZea7
— Sonam K Ahuja (@sonamakapoor) April 29, 2020
Filmmaker Karan Johar salutes Khan’s unmatched contribution — and how he raised the bar…
Thank you for those indelible movie memories….thank you for raising the bar as an artist …thank you for enriching our Cinema….we will miss you terribly Irrfan but will always always be immensely grateful for your presence in our lives…..our cinema….we salute you🙏❤️😪
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) April 29, 2020
Anupam Kher, who acted with Khan in movies like Apna Asmaan, breaks down during a video message.
Nothing can be more heartbreaking and tragic than the news of passing away of a dear friend, one of the finest actors and a wonderful human being #IrrfanKhan. Saddest day!! May his soul rest in peace. #OmShanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/QSm05p7PfU
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) April 29, 2020
Nimrat Kaur, Irrfan Khan’s Lunchbox co-star, feels the “world is left for the poorer”.
Words fail to describe my sense of shock and horror to learn about Irrfan Khan’s passing away. My prayers and deepest condolences are with the family at this grave hour. India’s lost one of her biggest icons today. Our world left for the poorer… #IrrfanKhan #Forever
— Nimrat Kaur (@NimratOfficial) April 29, 2020
Filmmaker Colin Trevorrow, who directed Khan in the 2015 movie Jurassic World, shares a snippet from his last correspondence with the actor.
Deeply sad to have lost #IrrfanKhan. A thoughtful man who found beauty in the world around him, even in pain. In our last correspondence, he asked me to remember “the wonderful aspects of our existence” in the darkest of days. Here he is, laughing. pic.twitter.com/8eAsSOO9Ie
— Colin Trevorrow (@colintrevorrow) April 29, 2020
And director Shoojit Sircar, who directed him in Piku, is proud of the actor’s fighting spirit till his last breath.
https://twitter.com/ShoojitSircar/status/1255377784773410818?s=20
Priyanka Chopra shares a touching note with an old snapshot — she had worked with him in the 2011 black comedy 7 Khoon Maaf.
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
Actor Taapsee Pannu is completely devastated by his sudden death.
When we thought nothing could make us feel worse,this happened. I think I will refuse to believe you are no more by watching all your work time n again n again n again. I have known you that way n shall continue to know you that way for ever. You ARE the best we have #IrrfanKhan
— taapsee pannu (@taapsee) April 29, 2020
Away from cinema, many others have also expressed sadness over Khan’s untimely death, including cricketer Sachin Tendulkar who mourned the loss of his favourite Bollywood actor.
Sad to hear the news of #IrrfanKhan passing away. He was one of my favorites & I’ve watched almost all his films, the last one being Angrezi Medium. Acting came so effortlessly to him, he was just terrific.
May his soul Rest In Peace. 🙏🏼
Condolences to his loved ones. ☹️ pic.twitter.com/gaLHCTSbUh
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) April 29, 2020
Politicians, led by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi expressed their condolences too.
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
I’m sorry to hear about the passing of Irrfan Khan. A versatile & talented actor, he was a popular Indian brand ambassador on the global film & tv stage. He will be greatly missed. My condolences to his family, friends & fans at this time of grief.
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) April 29, 2020
Irfan Khan was a versatile actor. Sorry to hear about his demise. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans. Om Shanti
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) April 29, 2020
Former Maharashtra chief minister and BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis remembers the many talents the actor had.
With the untimely demise of #IrrfanKhan, we lost a versatile actor.
Not just a hardworking actor but he was also a good cricketer but couldn’t persue due to lack of funds. His TV and film presence is unparalleled and has been giving confidence & motivation to many.
(1/2)
— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) April 29, 2020
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah is less formal in his tribute, singling out the actor’s special qualities.
No stereotypical looks, no six-pack, no fancy dance steps, no dynastic claim to a place in Bollywood. It was just talent & a breathtaking screen presence. #IrrfanKhan your courage to speak up when others chose silence was your biggest asset & will be missed the most. God speed.
— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) April 29, 2020
And France’s Ambassador to India, Emmanuel Lenain remembered the actor’s performance in Lunchbox.
Deeply saddened at untimely demise of actor par excellence #IrrfanKhan
A beloved international face of Indian cinema, the acclaimed actor stood out in every role he essayed, incl. the memorable ‘Lunchbox’, the first official co-production between India and France shown at Cannes pic.twitter.com/fy5dw0MJGe
— Emmanuel Lenain (@FranceinIndia) April 29, 2020
There were many more tweets about Khan. Here are some that you may also like to read:
Actor Aamir Khan:
Very sad to hear about our dear colleague Irrfan. How tragic and sad. Such a wonderful talent. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
Thank you Irrfan for all the joy you have brought to our lives through your work.
You will be fondly remembered.
Love.
a.
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) April 29, 2020
Khan’s Hindi Medium co-star Saba Qamar:
Deeply disturbed to hear about the passing of Irrfan Khan. It feels like yesterday coming back from the sets of Hindi Medium. You taught me a lot as an actor and a mentor. Such a brilliant actor gone too soon. I'm at a loss for words.
RIP Raj 💔
Yours Only, Meeta 🌸#IrrfanKhan pic.twitter.com/FaDx1dznFA
— Saba Qamar (@s_qamarzaman) April 29, 2020
Actors Ajay Devgan and Akshay Kumar:
Heartbroken to hear about Irrfan’s untimely demise. It’s an irreparable loss for Indian cinema. Deepest condolences to his wife & sons. RIP Irrfan.
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) April 29, 2020
Such terrible news…saddened to hear about the demise of #IrrfanKhan, one of the finest actors of our time. May God give strength to his family in this difficult time 🙏🏻
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 29, 2020
With inputs from Bismee Taskin.
Bound for heaven, Irrfan khan…
P.S, Saat khoon maaf released in 2011 and Omar Abdullah is NC leader, not NCP!