Irrfan Khan 59th Birth Anniversary: Lesser Known Facts About The Late Star Who Redefined Acting!
On Irrfan Khan’s 59th birth anniversary, fans across the world are once again revisiting the life, choices, and quiet magic of an actor who never chased stardom, yet became unforgettable.
Irrfan Khan 59th Birth Anniversary: Lesser Known Facts About The Late Star Who Redefined Acting!
From playing ordinary men with extraordinary depth to shining in global cinema, Irrfan’s journey remains one of the most inspiring stories Bollywood has ever seen.
One of Irrfan Khan’s greatest strengths was his incredibly versatile filmography. Whether it was parallel cinema, mainstream Bollywood, or Hollywood, Irrfan belonged everywhere. He played characters that felt like people we knew.
He could break hearts with silence in The Lunchbox, command global screens in Life of Pi, and still feel completely at home in films like Paan Singh Tomar, Maqbool, Haider, Talvar, Angrezi Medium and more.
(Also Read: Take A Look At 10 Memorable QUOTES Said By Late Irrfan Khan!)
Before the Spotlight: Life as an AC Repairman
Before films happened, life was far from glamorous. In his early days in Mumbai, Irrfan worked as an air-conditioner repairman to survive. One such job took him to the house of his idol, superstar Rajesh Khanna. Watching Khanna’s stardom up close left a deep impact on him and quietly strengthened his desire to act.
When Cricket Came Before Cinema
Interestingly, acting was not his first dream. Irrfan initially wanted to be a cricketer and was even selected for the CK Nayudu Trophy, an under-23 tournament. However, financial constraints forced him to let go of professional cricket, a twist of fate that changed Indian cinema forever.
Irrfan Khan 59th Birth Anniversary: Lesser Known Facts About Him
NSD Scholarship That Changed Everything
His entry into acting also happened almost by chance. Irrfan joined the National School of Drama mainly because he received a scholarship. Acting was not some lifelong master plan back then, just a door that opened at the right time.
The Story Behind the Extra ‘R’
Even his name carried intention. Born Sahabzade Irfan Ali Khan, he shortened it to Irrfan Khan. The extra ‘r’ was added deliberately because he liked how it sounded, and numerologists suggested it could bring positive energy to his career.
The Hollywood Role He Walked Away From
Despite global recognition, Irrfan made deeply personal choices. He famously turned down a role in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar because it required a four-month stay in the US. He chose to stay in India and work on films like The Lunchbox and D-Day, later calling it one of the toughest decisions of his life.
In 2011, Irrfan was awarded the Padma Shri. He passed away on April 29, 2020, at the age of 53, due to complications from a rare neuroendocrine tumor.
Irrfan Khan 59th Birth Anniversary: Babil Khan’s Emotional Tribute
Marking his 59th birth anniversary, Babil Khan shared unseen photos of his father on Instagram. One shows a young Babil sleeping on Irrfan’s back, another captures them standing face-to-face outdoors.
Babil captioned it tenderly, recalling how he would say “sofa mode activated” before falling asleep on his father.
Irrfan Khan may be gone, but his honesty, humility, and unforgettable performances continue to live on, quietly reminding us why some artists never fade.
(Also Read: Wayback Wednesday: Did You Know Irrfan Khan Had A Film In Mind With Son Babil?)
