An Irrfan Sized Void

By Arka Das

The passing of actor Irrfan Khan has personally hit me quite hard. Maybe it’s due to the fact that he is one of my acting inspirations, perhaps because I thought he’d get through his battle with a rare cancer, or maybe because there’s already so much loss around us at the moment, or simply because of denial. Whatever the case, I woke up this morning and the first thing I thought about was the fact that we’d never get to see his work on screen again – a thought that left me devastated.

It’s heartwarming to see so much adulation and admiration for Irrfan from different parts of the world – a testament to his body of work. He was a master of using silence and minimal expression to convey so much depth and nuance from his characters, whether he played a grieving widow, a bandit, a detective or a taxi driver. There’s a reason why he crossed over from Asian cinema into Hollywood with such ease – I think it has something to do with the fact that real talent is ultimately undeniable, in any country, language or culture.

Even just the other day he was in my thoughts as I was filling out a questionnaire which asked about my “dream cast” to work with, and his name was one of the first that came to mind. Now it’ll remain just that, a dream.

Those who are familiar with his work know what an irreplaceable void he has left behind in world cinema, but those who haven’t had the chance to see the range of his work I implore you to watch some of his films. Some of the more well known Hollywood films Irrfan worked on include shining roles in the Life of Pi, Slumdog Millionaire, The Amazing Spider-Man and Jurassic World, but I thought I’d share a list of some of his other films which have left such an imprint on audiences around the world.

The Lunchbox

I had to start with The Lunchbox as it is one of my favourite films. A huge hit at Cannes in 2013 and one of his finest performances alongside the central cast. Irrfan plays a widowed accountant in a love affair with a lonely housewife. A must watch!

The Warrior

A gripping film by British filmmaker Asif Kapadia and Irrfan’s breakout role. The film won several awards including a BAFTA. Filmed in his native Rajasthan, Irrfan played the titular role – a warrior, who attempts to give up the sword.

Piku (Netflix)

I really enjoyed this film where Irrfan plays a taxi driver and shares the screen with two Bollywood stars. A great bittersweet family drama!

Maqbool

An adaptation of Macbeth set in India where Irrfan plays the title role. One of his earliest most successful films!

The Namesake

Directed by Mira Nair and based on Jhumpa Lahiri’s novel of the same name, Irrfan plays an immigrant father living in New York, battling with assimilation.

Paan Singh Tomar (Netflix)

I just finished watching this film and it’s clear why it’s regarded as some of his finest work. Irrfan portrays the real life Indian athlete Paan Singh who turns into a gun-toting rebel to protect his family and village. A must watch!

7 .Qissa (The Tale of a Lonely Ghost)

An underrated film which won the International Asian Film Award at TIFF in 2013, set in post-partition Punjab where Irrfan plays a Sikh man who loses everything and is bordering on insanity.

Talvar (Netflix)

An unsettling murder mystery where Irrfan plays a hardened detective working on a twisted murder case of a young girl.

Hindi Medium

I am yet to see this film but it was a huge hit with audiences and the sequel Angrezi Medium was released in theatres just before Irrfan passed away. In Hindi Medium Irrfan performed the role of a father struggling to get his daughter admitted to a prestigious English school in order to rise in society.

Haasil

This is a cult classic where Irrfan’s range as an actor is palpable. He plays the antagonistic role of an ambitious student union leader who is cunning, intimidating and violent.