Internationally acclaimed Indian actor Irrfan Khan dies

Irrfan Khan, one of the most talented Indian actors who essayed a wide variety of roles including in Mostafa Sarwar Farooqi's "Doob", died in a Mumbai hospital today at the age of 54.

Irrfan was diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour, a rare form of cancer, in 2018.

The actor's health suddenly deteriorated a few days ago following which he was admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, reports our New Delhi correspondent quoting a statement from his representative.

He is survived by wife Sutapa Sikdar and sons Babil and Ayan Khan.

An official statement released by the actor's family following the departure of the actor said: "It's saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away. Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him. After having been struck by lightning in 2018 with the news of a rare cancer, he took life soon after as it came and he fought the many battles that came with it."

"Surrounded by his love, his family for whom he most cared about, he left for heavenly abode, leaving behind truly a legacy of his own. We all pray and hope that he is at peace. And to resonate and part with his words he had said, 'As if I was tasting life for the first time, the magical side of it'," the statement read.

Irrfan's mother Saeeda Begum died at the age of 95 on Saturday last in Jaipur but the actor could not attend her funeral due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown and paid his last respects to his late mother through video conferencing.

"The Life of Pi" actor was diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumour in March 2018 and a few days later, he left for London for treatment.

He returned to India in February 2019 and acted in "Angrezi Medium", a sequel to the 2017 hit movie "Hindi Medium". A couple of months later, he flew back to London to continue the treatment and returned to India after his surgery in September last year.

However, his health condition prevented him from promoting the movie, which hit the theatres in March just before the lockdown began on March 25.

Irrfan had put up impressive performance in films like "Pan Singh Tomar", "Maqbool", "Haasil", "Lunchbox", "Piku", "Talvar" and the Oscar-nominated "Salaam Bombay".

He has also been a part of international projects like "The Mighty Heart", "The Namesake", "Life of Pi", "Inferno", "Slumdog Millionaire" and "The Warrior", among others.

Irrfan won the Indian National Award for his role in "Paan Singh Tomar".