Irrfan Khan, Bollywood's Trailblazer, Passes Away At 53; Family Pays Last Respects

Actor Irrfan Khan's death has left not a heart unbroken, not a single eye dry. The 53-year-old died in Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on Wednesday at the end of a long battle against a cancerous tumour. The grief that has ripped through his fans and the film fraternity found an outlet on social media. Twitter has been deluged by tributes from Irrfan Khan's many co-stars, among them Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Shah Rukh Khan, Anil Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor and Nimrat Kaur. Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan, who co-starred with Irrfan Khan in the 2015 film Piku, wrote: "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."

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

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who starred with the actor in her comeback film Jazbaa, wrote in her Instagram story: "Heartbreaking news... So sad to hear about the demise of my dear friend Irrfan Khan... The brightest, most genuine, humble, kind and eventually bravest soul. May he rest ion peace. God bless... Much love and strength to Sutapa, Bail, Ayan and his loved ones, at this very difficult time."

Screenshot of the Instagram story posted by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan's co-star of the 2015 film Piku, summed up her emotions by sharing a broken heart emoticon on Instagram and wrote: Irrfan Khan.
Shah Rukh Khan, who worked with Irrfan Khan in the 2009 film Billu, wrote: "My friend...inspiration and the greatest actor of our times. Allah bless your soul Irrfan bhai...will miss you as much as cherish the fact that you were part of our lives. paimana kahe hai kloi, maikhana kahe hai duniya teri aankhon ko bhi. Kya kya na kahe hai. Love you."

My friend...inspiration & the greatest actor of our times. Allah bless your soul Irrfan bhai...will miss you as much as cherish the fact that you were part of our lives.
Love u pic.twitter.com/yOVoCete4A

— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 29, 2020

Anil Kapoor, who famously starred with Irrfan Khan in the Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, wrote an extensive note on Twitter.

Indescribably saddened to hear that we've lost Irrfan Khan. I'll always be thankful to him for taking care of Sonam when they worked together & for being her guiding light at the time. He was an inspiration for everyone, a remarkable actor, unmatched talent & a great human being.

— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) April 29, 2020

Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan Khan's co-star in 7 Khoon Maaf and Gunday, shared a film still with the actor. "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," she wrote.

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

Nimrat Kaur, Irrfan Khan's co-star of the critically acclaimed film Lunchbox, tweeted, "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.."

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

Sanjay Dutt, who worked with the late actor in films like D-Day and Knockout, shared an emotional post.

Gone too soon. #RIPpic.twitter.com/Nw4rEC68U8

— Sanjay Dutt (@duttsanjay) April 29, 2020

"I'm numb today... I haven't been able to accept the loss of a brilliant co-actor and a fabulous person that Irrfan Khan was," wrote Shilpa Shetty, who co-starred with the actor in Life .. In A Metro.

I'm numb today... I haven't been able to accept the loss of a brilliant co-actor & a fabulous person that @irrfank was! We've lost a gem today... but his legacy will live on through the phenomenal body of work that he has left behind. Rest in peace, Irrfan!#IrrfanKhanpic.twitter.com/7jrRDRYdcC

— SHILPA SHETTY KUNDRA (@TheShilpaShetty) April 29, 2020

One of Irrfan Khan's earliest film roles was in Ek Doctor Ki Maut, which starred Shabana Azmi. She tweeted this:

Deeply saddened to learn that #Irffan Khan passed away this morning. Gone too soon .. such a powerful actor and how valiantly he fought back the cancer. Its a big loss not only to his family but to the entire film industry. RIP

— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) April 29, 2020

Source: NDTV.com