Cinema has seen many stars, but only a few true artists—people who don’t just act, but live their characters. One such artist was Irrfan Khan. On January 7, his birth anniversary, his journey feels even more inspiring: a boy from Rajasthan whose first film role was cut, who struggled for years in Mumbai, and who ultimately became a global face of Indian cinema. Though he left the world in 2020, artists like Irrfan never really die.

From Tonk to dreams of cricket
Irrfan Khan was born on January 7, 1967, in Tonk, Rajasthan. His mother, Saeeda Begum, and father, Sahibzade Yasin Ali Khan, belonged to a modest family; his father ran a tyre business. Irrfan’s first love, however, was not acting but cricket. He dreamed of becoming a cricketer and was even selected for the CK Nayudu tournament. Unfortunately, his family’s financial condition did not allow him to pursue it further, and that dream quietly faded.

Theatre, NSD, and Mira Nair
Fate pushed Irrfan toward theatre. His maternal uncle was associated with theatre, and inspired by him, Irrfan began acting in plays in Jaipur. Determined to learn acting seriously, he moved to Delhi after receiving a scholarship at the National School of Drama (NSD), where he completed a diploma in dramatic arts.

During a workshop, filmmaker Mira Nair noticed him and invited him to Mumbai for another workshop related to her film Salaam Bombay!. Mira even arranged a rented flat for him, where he lived with actor Raghubir Yadav.

When his first role was cut
Initially, Irrfan was selected to play a street boy in Salaam Bombay!. But just two days before shooting began, he was informed that his role had been cut. Instead, he was offered a much smaller part as a letter writer. The news shattered him. Irrfan rushed back home and cried the entire night, resting his head on Raghubir Yadav’s shoulder. That rejection marked his entry into cinema—but also showed how hard the road ahead would be.

Struggle in Mumbai and television days
Life in Mumbai was tough. To survive, Irrfan even worked as an AC repairman. Gradually, he found work on television, appearing in shows like Bharat Ek Khoj, Sanjha Chulha, and Suno Kahaani. At the same time, he continued doing small film roles, slowly honing his craft.

Maqbool and recognition
His first major international break came with The Warrior. In Bollywood, his strong performances in Haasil and especially Maqbool brought him widespread recognition. From there, there was no looking back. Films like Billu, Paan Singh Tomar, Life in a… Metro, and D-Day showcased his incredible range.

From Bollywood to Hollywood
Irrfan made his Hollywood debut with The Namesake. He went on to act in globally celebrated films like Slumdog Millionaire, Life of Pi, and Jurassic World. Interestingly, he also turned down major Hollywood projects such as Interstellar, Body of Lies, and The Martian, choosing meaningful films like The Lunchbox and Piku instead.

The extra ‘R’ and the artist’s mind
In 2012, Irrfan made a small but symbolic change to his name—adding an extra ‘R’, changing “Irfan” to “Irrfan.” He once explained that he liked the sound of the extra ‘R’. For him, even this was an artistic decision, reflecting how deeply he felt about expression.

Illness, farewell, and the final film
In March 2018, Irrfan revealed that he was battling a rare neuroendocrine tumor. After long treatment in the UK, he returned to India. During the COVID-19 lockdown, he was admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, and on April 29, 2020, the news of his death left the film world in stunned silence.

His last Bollywood film was Angrezi Medium, released just weeks before his passing. Yet, his presence on screen continued even after his death. His final international film, The Song of Scorpions, was released on April 28, 2023—three years after he left the world.