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Last edited February 28, 2026

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A photograph of Irrfan Khan in 2015
Khan in 2015

Irrfan Khan (7 January 1967– 29 April 2020) was an Indian actor who worked in Indian and British-American films.[1] His on-screen debut was a minor role in Mira Nair's Salaam Bombay! in 1988.[2] He followed this with appearances in a variety of television shows in the late 1980s to 1990s including playing ʽAbd al-Qadir Badayuni in Bharat Ek Khoj (1988), Makhdoom Mohiuddin in Kahkashan (1991), Vladimir Lenin in Lal Ghas Per Neele Ghodey (1992), a dual role in Chandrakanta (1994), and Valmiki in Jai Hanuman (1997). Khan found his television work unfulfilling and considered quitting acting.[3]

His career experienced a turnaround with his breakthrough role as the lead in Asif Kapadia's The Warrior (2001), which won the BAFTA Award for Outstanding British Film.[3][4] He followed this with critically acclaimed villainous roles in Haasil and Maqbool (both in 2003).[5] For the former performance, where he played a devious politician, Khan received the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Negative Role.[6][7] In 2006, Khan portrayed a first-generation Bengali immigrant in the Nair-directed film The Namesake with Tabu and a hitman in The Killer.[8][9] The following year, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as a 38-year-old man waiting to marry the right woman in Life in a... Metro, directed by Anurag Basu.[5][10] In 2008, he received international recognition for his role as a police inspector in Danny Boyle's Slumdog Millionaire, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture.[11][12]

Khan played the eponymous athlete-turned-bandit in Paan Singh Tomar and the adult version of the title character in Ang Lee's Life of Pi (both in 2012). For the former, he won the National Film Award for Best Actor; the latter was a critically acclaimed commercial success.[13] In 2013, he portrayed a widower who pursues an epistolary romance with a married woman in The Lunchbox with Nimrat Kaur.[11][14] The film, which he also produced, was a commercial success and received critical acclaim.[15] Three years later, he played supporting roles in Haider, Jurassic World, Piku, and the television miniseries Tokyo Trial, in which he portrayed the jurist Radhabinod Pal. In 2017, his performance as a father trying to get a place for his daughter in an elite English-medium school in Hindi Medium garnered him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor and also became his highest-grossing Hindi release.[13][16][17] Khan starred as a widower in Angrezi Medium (2020).[18] It was to be his final role as he died later in the same year, aged 53.[1][19] He posthumously won Best Actor and Lifetime Achievement at the 66th Filmfare Awards.[20]

Film

List of Irrfan Khan film credits
Year Title Role(s) Language(s) Notes Template:Abbr
1988 Salaam Bombay! Letter writer Hindi [21]
1989 Kamla Ki Maut Ajit [22]
1990 Drishti Rahul [23]
Ek Doctor Ki Maut Amulya [24]
1991 Pita Unknown [22]
1992 Mujhse Dosti Karoge [25]
1993 Karamati Coat Jaggu [26][27]
1994 Template:Sortname Unknown Short film [28]
Vaade Iraade Naresh [29]
Purush Siddharth [30]
1997 Private Detective: Two Plus Two Plus One Template:Sortname [31]
1998 Such A Long Journey Gustad's Father English [32]
Bada Din Police Inspector Hindi [33]
1999 Template:Sortname Template:Sortname [34]
2000 Ghaath Template:Sortname [35]
2001 Kasoor Template:Sortname [36]
Template:Sortname Lafcadia [37]
2002 Kali Salwar Shankar [38][39]
Gunaah Pandey [40]
Pratha Template:Sortname [41]
Haathi Ka Anda Unknown [42]
Bokshu – The Myth High Priest English [43][44]
2003 Dhund Template:Sortname Hindi [45]
Haasil Template:Sortname Filmfare Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role [46][47]
Supari Baba [48]
Footpath Sheikh [49]
Template:Sortname Policeman Short film [50]
Maqbool Template:Sortname [51]
Road To Ladakh Shafiq Short film [52]
2004 Charas Template:Sortname [53]
Aan: Men at Work Yusuf Pathan [54]
Shadows of Time Yani Bengali [55]
2005 Rog Template:Sortname Hindi [56]
Chehraa Template:Sortname Hindi [57]
Chocolate Pipi [58]
7½ Phere Template:Sortname [59]
Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Voice only [60]
2006 Yun Hota Toh Kya Hota Template:Sortname [61]
Template:Sortname Vikram [9]
Template:Sortname Template:Sortname English
Bengali
[62]
Deadline: Sirf 24 Ghante Template:Sortname Hindi [63]
Sainikudu Template:Sortname Telugu [64]
Mr. 100% Vishal Hindi [65]
2007 Partition Avtar English [66][67]
Life in a... Metro Monty Hindi Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor [5][10]
Template:Sortname Template:Sortname English [68]
Template:Sortname Template:Sortname [69]
Apna Asmaan Template:Sortname Hindi [70]
Aaja Nachle Farooque [71]
2008 Tulsi Suraj [72]
Sunday Template:Sortname [73]
One Two Three Narrator [74]
Krazzy 4 Template:Sortname [75]
Mumbai Meri Jaan Thomas [76]
Chamku Vishal Kapoor [77]
Migration Template:Small Short film [78]
Slumdog Millionaire Police Inspector English [79]
New York, I Love You Mansukhbhai Anthology film
Segment: "Mira Nair"
[80]
Dil Kabaddi Samit Hindi [81]
2009 Billu Billu [82]
New York Roshan [83]
Acid Factory Kaiser [84]
2010 Right Yaaa Wrong Template:Sortname [85]
Knock Out Template:Sortname [86]
Hisss Template:Sortname [87]
2011 Yeh Saali Zindagi Arun [88]
7 Khoon Maaf Template:Sortname [89]
Thank You Template:Sortname [90]
2012 Paan Singh Tomar Template:Sortname National Film Award for Best Actor
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor
[91][92][93]
Template:Sortname Template:Sortname English [94]
Life of Pi Template:Sortname [95]
2013 Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns Template:Sortname Hindi [96]
Template:Sortname Template:Sortname Also producer [97]
D-Day Template:Sortname [98]
Qissa Template:Sortname [99]
2014 Gunday ACP Satya [100]
Template:Sortname Template:Sortname / Narrator Cameo appearance [101][102]
Haider Roohdaar [103]
2015 Piku Template:Sortname [104]
Jurassic World Template:Sortname English [105]
Jazbaa Template:Sortname Hindi [106]
Talvar Template:Sortname [107]
Bajirao Mastani Template:Dash Narrator [108]
2016 Madaari Template:Sortname [109]
Inferno Template:Sortname English [110]
2017 Hindi Medium Template:Sortname Hindi [111]
Raabta Template:Dash Narrator [112]
No Bed of Roses Template:Sortname Bengali
English
Indo-Bangladesh joint production film, also producer;
NominatedFilmfare Critics Award for Best Actor
[113][114]
Template:Sortname Aadam Rajasthani [115]
Qarib Qarib Singlle Yogi Hindi [116]
2018 Puzzle Robert English [117]
Blackmail Template:Sortname Hindi [118]
Karwaan Shaukat [119]
2020 Angrezi Medium Template:Sortname Filmfare Award for Best Actor [19][120]
2021 Murder at Teesri Manzil 302 Template:Sortname Posthumous and delayed release
Filmed in 2008-09
[121][122]

Television

List of Irrfan Khan television credits
Year(s) Title Role(s) Language(s) Notes Template:Abbr
1987 Shrikant Abhaya's husband Hindi [123]
1988 Bharat Ek Khoj ʽAbd al-Qadir Badayuni [124]
1991 Kahkashan Makhdoom Mohiuddin [124]
Jazeere Alfred Television film [125]
1992 Lal Ghas Per Neele Ghodey Template:Sortname Teleplay [125]
Chanakya Template:Sortname [124]
1993 Kirdaar Various characters Hindi
Urdu
[126]
1994 Chandrakanta Badrinath / Somnath Hindi [124]
Template:Sortname Najib ad-Dawlah / Ghulam Kadir [127]
1995 Banegi Apni Baat Kumar [124]
1996 Just Mohabbat Mr. Singh Cameo appearance [128]
1997 Jai Hanuman Valmiki [129]
Bombay Blue Ramiz [130]
1998 Sparsh Unknown [131]
1999 Geeta Rahasya Kansa [132]
Tarkash
1999–2000 Star Bestsellers Unknown / Mahesh / Unknown / Ganesh Episode: "Bhoron Ne Khilaya Phool"
Episode: "Ek Shaam Ki Mulaquat"
Episode: "Fursat Mein"
Episode: "Govind Aur Ganesh"
[133][134]
2000 X Zone Unknown 1 episode [135]
Darr Serial killer [124]
2003 Ssshhhh...Koi Hai Amar Episode "From Reel to Real" [136]
2004 Kyaa Kahein Host [137]
2006 Mano Ya Na Mano Host [138]
2009–2010 MTV Roadies Himself Season 7 [139]
2010 In Treatment Template:Sortname English [140]
2016 Tokyo Trial Template:Sortname English
Japanese
Miniseries [141]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Irrfan Khan, actor extraordinaire and India's face in the West, dies at 53. Hindustan Times(29 April 2020).
  2. Irrfan Khan Death Anniversary: The Actor's First and Last Movie. CNN-News18(29 April 2022).
  3. 3.0 3.1 Irrfan Khan: 'I object to the term Bollywood'. The Guardian(25 July 2013).
  4. The Warrior (2001)(23 May 2017).
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 Irrfan Khan Passes Away. Filmfare(29 April 2020).
  6. Revisiting Haasil: Tigmanshu Dhulia's first film that put Irrfan Khan on the map. The Indian Express(4 July 2021).
  7. Tigmanshu Dhulia remembers Irrfan Khan as Haasil completes 17 years. Filmfare(16 May 2020).
  8. The Namesake: Irrfan Khan, Tabu are exquisite in Mira Nair's contemplative immigrant drama. The Indian Express(12 March 2022).
  9. 9.0 9.1 The Killer Review, Adarsh, Taran. Bollywood Hungama(21 July 2006).
  10. 10.0 10.1 Movie Review: Life in a Metro, Bahl, Taru. Livemint(11 May 2007).
  11. 11.0 11.1 Irrfan Khan: Actor who found international fame in Slumdog Millionaire. The Independent(19 May 2020).
  12. Template:Cite magazine
  13. 13.0 13.1 Best Irrfan Khan Movies. Filmfare(28 June 2021).
  14. The Lunchbox review – 'a quiet storm of banked emotions'. The Observer(13 April 2014).
  15. An Indian Appetizer, Subtly Spiced. The New York Times(21 February 2014).
  16. Hindi Medium records higher box office opening than Dangal, Bajrangi Bhaijaan in China; Irrfan's highest grosser worldwide. Firstpost.
  17. Saba Qamar speaks about Hindi Medium's win at Filmfare Awards. The News International(18 January 2018).
  18. Angrezi Medium Movie Review. Filmfare(18 March 2020).
  19. 19.0 19.1 Angrezi Medium makers shares a heartfelt note on the late actor Irrfan's win at Filmfare Awards. Filmfare(30 March 2021).
  20. Filmfare Awards 2021: An Emotional Tribute To Irrfan Khan; Babil Couldn't Hold Back Tears, Basu, Nilanjana. NDTV 24x7(11 April 2021).
  21. Irrfan Khan's first Bollywood break: A 'letter writer' in Mira Nair's iconic Salaam Bombay. Business Today(29 April 2020).
  22. 22.0 22.1 Irrfan (1967–2020): A powerhouse talent gone too soon. Scroll.in(29 April 2020).
  23. Drishti. TV Guide.
  24. 'Ek Doctor Ki Maut' and the dangers of bureaucracy superseding science. Business Standard(11 January 2019).
  25. Mujhse Dosti Karoge. Children's Film Society, India.
  26. Karamati Coat. Box Office India.
  27. Irrfan Khan had only a 3-minute role in his first film, designed his own costume. Hindustan Times(29 April 2020).
  28. The Cloud Door. Variety.
  29. Vaade Iraade. Bollywood Hungama(10 October 1994).
  30. Purush. TV Guide.
  31. Private Detective: Two Plus Two Plus One. Radio Times.
  32. Such a Long Journey – Full Cast & Crew. TV Guide.
  33. Bada Din. Box Office India.
  34. Goal scores!, Chatterji, Shoma(30 May 2000).
  35. Ghaath. Box Office India.
  36. Lisa Ray on meeting Irrfan on Kasoor sets: 'He walked with dignified authority, though he was a struggling actor'. Hindustan Times(30 April 2020).
  37. The Warrior review – a shimmering film that already seems like a classic. The Guardian(3 May 2002).
  38. Unshackling Sultana. The Hindu(13 May 2017).
  39. Kali Salwaar. British Film Institute.
  40. Gunaah. Variety(10 October 2002).
  41. Pratha. Box Office India.
  42. Haathi Ka Anda (2002). The A.V. Club. Retrieved 9 December 2022.
  43. Bokshu, The Myth. Variety(13 June 2006).
  44. Why can't an Indian make a film in English?, Warrier, Shobha(22 May 2002).
  45. Dhund. British Film Institute.
  46. Haasil. British Film Institute.
  47. On Irrfan Khan's death anniversary, a guide to awards and honours conferred on acclaimed actor(29 April 2022).
  48. Supari. British Film Institute.
  49. Footpath. Box Office India.
  50. The Bypass. British Film Institute.
  51. When Irrfan Khan's performance left Naseeruddin Shah shocked during Maqbool: 'I reached out to support him and he said...'. The Indian Express(8 January 2022).
  52. Road to Ladakh. British Film Institute.
  53. Charas. Box Office India.
  54. Aan. British Film Institute.
  55. Schatten Der Zeit. British Film Institute.
  56. Ilene sizzles, Irrfan impresses!, Kotian, Harish(7 January 2005).
  57. Chehraa. Box Office India.
  58. Chocolate – Deep Dark Secrets.
  59. 7 1/2 Phere: More Than a Wedding.
  60. The Film. Box Office India.
  61. Yun Hota Kya Hota. TV Guide.
  62. Irrfan Khan (1967–2020): 'Irrfan was always going to play Ashoke Ganguli', Chhabra, Aseem. Livemint(29 April 2020).
  63. Deadline – Sirf 24 Ghante. Bollywood Hungama(10 November 2006).
  64. He showed how to flow with a role: Southern stars salute Irrfan Khan. Deccan Herald(30 April 2020).
  65. Mr. 100%. Box Office India.
  66. Partition (2008). British Film Institute.
  67. Partition – Full Cast & Crew. TV Guide.
  68. A Mighty Heart (2007). British Film Institute.
  69. The Darjeeling Limited (2007). British Film Institute.
  70. Apna Asmaan. Box Office India.
  71. Aaja Nachle. Box Office India.
  72. Tulsi. Box Office India.
  73. Sunday. Box Office India.
  74. Once, Twice, Three times a dud. Rediff.com(28 March 2008).
  75. Krazzy 4. The Times(16 April 2008). Retrieved 2 April 2023.Template:Subscription required
  76. Film Review: Mumbai Meri Jaan. The Hollywood Reporter(26 August 2008).
  77. Chamku Cast & Crew. Bollywood Hungama(29 August 2008).
  78. First of Many: Arjun Mathur revisits Migration. The Indian Express(22 April 2021).
  79. Obituary: Irrfan Khan, star of Slumdog Millionaire and Indian films. BBC News(30 April 2020).
  80. New York, I Love You. TV Guide.
  81. Dil Kabaddi. Box Office India.
  82. Take your kids to Billu, Sen, Raja(13 February 2009).
  83. Friendships in the Big City, Bent by 9/11. The New York Times(26 June 2009).
  84. Acid Factory. TV Guide.
  85. Right Yaaa Wrong.
  86. Knock Out. Radio Times.
  87. A decade decoded. The Tribune(28 February 2016).
  88. Yeh Saali Zindagi review: A twisted entertainer, Verma, Sukanya(4 February 2011).
  89. Review: '7 Khoon Maaf' is a bloody good film. Daily News & Analysis(21 November 2013).
  90. Thank You – Full Cast & Crew. TV Guide.
  91. A Rebel's Tale. The New York Times(1 March 2012).
  92. National Film Awards: 'Paan Singh Tomar', 'Vicky Donor' big winners. Livemint(10 March 2013).
  93. The Filmfare Awards list is out.... Filmfare(21 January 2013).
  94. Irrfan Khan to play villain in The Amazing Spider-Man 3?. Hindustan Times(9 May 2014).
  95. Life of Pi – review. The Guardian(20 December 2012).
  96. I am waiting for a lighter, romantic role: Irrfan Khan. Hindustan Times(20 September 2013).
  97. Looking back on Irrfan Khan's performance in The Lunchbox, a role that celebrated the magnetic actor's strengths. Firstpost(3 May 2020).
  98. On Irrfan Khan's death anniversary, a look at his most memorable movie dialogues. Filmfare(29 April 2022).
  99. The Partition of identity. Daily News & Analysis(5 December 2017).
  100. 'Gunday' review: It is a mash-up of many popular blockbusters. The Indian Express(14 February 2014).
  101. Anant Mahadevan's film 'The Xpose' inspired by yesteryear Bollywood actors. The Times of India(3 April 2014).
  102. Film Review: The Xpose attempts to say too many things at a time. Daily News & Analysis(26 March 2015).
  103. A tribute: With Irrfan Khan, less was always more. The Hindu(30 April 2020).
  104. 5 Years Of Piku: What made Irrfan Khan's Rana Chaudhary so likeable?. Mid-Day(8 May 2020).
  105. Movie review: Jurassic World is a sporadically enjoyable ride. The Straits Times(11 June 2015).
  106. Jazbaa review: Aishwarya, Irrfan make it a good watch. Hindustan Times(9 October 2015).
  107. Why Irrfan Khan's Death Feels Like A Personal Loss. Outlook(1 May 2020).
  108. Before SS Rajamouli And Sukumar, These Celebrities Turned Narrators For Famous Projects. Outlook(3 March 2022).
  109. Madaari review: Irrfan Khan's gentle presence elevates a middling film. Firstpost(22 July 2016).
  110. Inferno writer Dan Brown pays tribute to 'incomparable' Irrfan Khan. Hindustan Times(29 April 2020).
  111. 'Hindi Medium' highlights dilemma of India's middle class. Dawn(16 June 2017).
  112. Irrfan turns narrator for Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon's 'Raabta'. Mid-Day(16 April 2017).
  113. From Bangladesh, with love, Ghosh, Sankhayan. Livemint(4 March 2017).
  114. Critics Best Actor in Leading Role Male Nominee.
  115. Irrfan Khan's The Song of Scorpions gears up for release. The Indian Express(28 December 2020).
  116. 'Very important for me to show my characters as respectful towards women', Jha, Subhash(13 November 2021).
  117. Puzzle review – Kelly Macdonald sees the big picture in jigsaw indie. The Guardian(20 June 2018).
  118. Blackmail movie review: Irrfan Khan, Divya Dutta's black comedy is refreshing. Hindustan Times(20 April 2018).
  119. Karwaan Diaries: Witness the quirky and goofy side of Irrfan Khan in 'Shaukat In The House' BTS video. Daily News & Analysis(21 July 2018).
  120. Angrezi Medium movie review: Irrfan is the heart of this father-daughter tale. Hindustan Times(12 March 2020).
  121. Murder At Teesri Manzil 302 Review: Irrfan Khan's Long-Delayed Film Is Dead On Arrival, Chatterjee, Saibal. NDTV 24x7(31 December 2021).
  122. Irrfan Khan's Long-Delayed Film 'Murder At Teesri Manzil 302' To Finally Release On OTT. Outlook(28 December 2021).
  123. DD to Re-Telecast Irrfan Khan's Show 'Shrikant': How to Watch(30 April 2020).
  124. 124.0 124.1 124.2 124.3 124.4 124.5 Chandrakanta to Banegi Apni Baat; a look at Irrfan Khan's notable work on television(29 April 2020).
  125. 125.0 125.1 Irrfan Khan passes away at 53: Revisiting the beloved actor's crucial, yet little known, theatre years. Firstpost(30 April 2020).
  126. My dear friends: My parting words to Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor. Hindustan Times(13 May 2020).
  127. Chandrakanta, the show in which Irrfan won hearts four lines at a time, Misra, Shubhangi. ThePrint(2 May 2020).
  128. Just Mohabbat was my debut show and I didn't have any experience: Vatsal Sheth. Hindustan Times(19 December 2016).
  129. Remembering Irrfan Khan: When the actor played Sant Valmiki in Sanjay Khan's TV show Jai Hanuman, Chauhan, Gaurang. Zoom(30 April 2020).
  130. Bombay Blue Part Three. British Film Institute.
  131. Ravi Rai: The Kashmir Files and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 are the only remarkable films in the last two years – Exclusive. The Times of India(21 August 2022).
  132. Nitish Bharadwaj: Irrfan's strengths lay in his eyes, diction and sense of timing. The Times of India(7 January 2021).
  133. Quarantine Curation: Anurag to Imtiaz, 10 Star Bestsellers episodes directed by Bollywood bigwigs, Singh, Nisha. India Today(14 May 2020).
  134. 'Star Bestsellers' revisited: The TV show where Anurag Kashyap, Sriram Raghavan and more started out, Ghosh, Devarsi(24 March 2019).
  135. Aahat, Zee Horror Show, X-Zone: Best Horror-Thriller Serials on Indian Television, Prabhudesai, Rohit. Koimoi(16 February 2013).
  136. Ssshhhh...Koi Hai – Watch Episode 9 – From Reel to Real on Disney+ Hotstar. Disney+ Hotstar.
  137. Kyaa Kahein. Balaji Telefilms.
  138. What if Irrfan Khan's Mano Ya Na Mano reality show came back for the third time?. Firstpost(1 November 2017).
  139. Road less travelled. The Hindu(3 September 2009).
  140. 'In Treatment' with Irrfan Khan. The Hindu(4 June 2021).
  141. Radhabinod Pal: More about the dissenting Indian judge that Irrfan Khan plays in Netflix's Tokyo Trial. Firstpost(26 March 2017).