5 years without Irrfan Khan: Remembering his magic through these unmissable performances
Five years after his passing, Irrfan Khan’s artistry endures through unforgettable performances that captured humanity with depth, tenderness, and unmatched authenticity.
Last Updated: 10.09 AM, Apr 29, 2025
Five years have passed since Irrfan Khan said goodbye to the world, but his films, the silences he spoke through, and the millions of hearts touched by his incredible artistry keep him alive. The actor dazzled in a way that few actors could: he completely disguised his performance. His expressions, pauses, and words were all painfully genuine.
As we remember him today, we look back at five unforgettable performances that offer a glimpse into the vastness of his range and the tenderness of his spirit.
Irrfan made his dramatic debut on television before he became a cinematic superstar. In the acclaimed youth-centric drama Banegi Apni Baat from the 1990s, he displayed a subtle, intense brilliance in depicting complicated emotions. Irrfan stood out at a period when over-the-top acting was common on television because he was understated, genuine, and incredibly sympathetic. Even in cramped quarters, his brilliance shone through in his work on this show.
Irrfan portrayed RAW agent Wali Khan in the espionage thriller D-Day, directed by Nikkhil Advani. Khan's allegiance to his nation is challenged by the relationships he develops with his clandestine family. Emotional vulnerability, rather than brazen heroics, characterises the performance. No amount of talking can convey the emotions conveyed by Irrfan's eyes, whether he's playing the part of a father and husband or completing dangerous missions. In an ensemble cast of striking performances, he gave Wali the charismatic portrayal of a man haunted by his decisions.
Irrfan has a small but significant role as Roohdaar in Haider, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Roohdaar was a catalyst and Haider's (Shahid Kapoor) conscience; he appeared almost as a ghost of truth. The role took on an unsettling gravity thanks to Irrfan's portrayal of a combination of suffering, insight, and acceptance. His performance in Haider, which is characterised by quiet voices and intense gazes, is eerily effective.
Piku by Shoojit Sircar featured one of Irrfan's most endearing roles, Rana Chaudhary. The small moments, like the frustrated smiles, the mild taunting, and the unexpected warmth, were what made Irrfan's performance as a taxi entrepreneur who gets entangled in a road trip with a dysfunctional father-daughter combination so memorable. Rana's unwavering presence held the film together amidst all the comedy and emotional upheaval. Irrfan demonstrated the subtle ways in which love manifests itself via understanding and patience, without resorting to spectacular gestures.
Yogi, the charming and eccentric poet in Qarib Qarib Singlle, seemed almost designed for Irrfan as he is on a quest to reunite with his former lovers. With Parvathy Thiruvothu standing beside him, the actor effortlessly performed his magic on screen. An unconventional love story became a classic thanks to his natural vulnerability and superb comic timing. It was painfully real; Yogi was messy, awkward, full of hope, and full of life. It was a rare sight to see Irrfan's boundless enthusiasm for life on screen.
One cannot sum up Irrfan Khan's career in a few performances. The Lunchbox, Maqbool, Paan Singh Tomar, Talvar, Life of Pi, and The Namesake were just a few of the films that he worked on and brought to a higher level. His talent was making you feel noticed, bridging a gap between you and a part of humanity you were unaware deserved recognition.
His work is a priceless remembrance of a singular skill that was and will be unforgettable; even after five years, it entertains, educates, and endures. Irrfan may have left the stage, but his performances live on — timeless, tender, and true.
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