Irrfan Khan death: Life of Pi actor dies from colon infection, aged 53

Indian actor starred in ‘Life of Pi’ and ‘Slumdog Millionaire’

The actor and Bollywood icon Irrfan Khan has died at the age of 53.

Khan had been admitted to a hospital in Mumbai on Tuesday (28 April) after suffering a kidney infection. Following a period of deteriorating health, he died Wednesday (29 April).

Khan previously announced in 2018 that he had been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour.

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “‘I trust, I have surrendered’; These were some of the many words that Irrfan expressed in a heartfelt note he wrote in 2018 opening up about his fight with cancer. And a man of few words and an actor of silent expressions with his deep eyes and his memorable actions on screen.

“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 heaven above, 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.’”

Khan had undergone treatment for cancer throughout 2019, and previously released a video message detailing his battle.

“One doesn’t have any other choice but to remain positive,” he said. “Whether you are able to make lemonade in such situations is entirely up to you.”

Khan’s mother, Saeeda Begum, died on Saturday (25 April) at the age of 95, with Khan attending her funeral via video link.

Irrfan made his film debut in Mira Nair’s 1988 film Salaam Bombay, and became one of Bollywood’s most famous stars courtesy of Asif Kapadia’s The Warrior in 2001.

He earned significant international acclaim after crossing over into western projects, including Slumdog Millionaire (2008), The Darjeeling Limited (2007), Life of Pi (2012) and Jurassic World (2015).