While Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Aamir Khan have dominated Hindi cinema for decades, Irrfan Khan carved his own path with effortless acting, simplicity, and humanity. He was not just a remarkable actor but also a genuinely compassionate human being. On his birth anniversary, one such real-life incident from Irrfan’s life comes to light that truly makes you salute him.

Born on January 7, 1967, in Tonk district of Rajasthan, Irrfan belonged to a Muslim family. He passed away in 2020 after battling cancer, leaving behind an irreplaceable void in Indian and world cinema. Had he been alive today, he would have turned 59. On this occasion, a lesser-known story from his youth reminds us why Irrfan was admired far beyond the screen.

When Irrfan Khan risked his life for a friend
This powerful anecdote was shared by Haider Ali Zaidi, who later became an IPS officer and served as the Superintendent of Police in Bharatpur. Haider Ali and Irrfan Khan were childhood friends. They studied together, spent their college days together, and shared a deep bond.

In an interview, Haider Ali recalled an incident from their college days that stayed with him forever. One day, while returning home together, Haider accidentally came in contact with an electric current and was being electrocuted. People around were scared and none came forward to help.

Without thinking about his own safety, Irrfan rushed towards his friend. Ignoring the danger, he pulled Haider away from the electric current and saved his life. That single moment of courage could have cost Irrfan his own life, but he did not hesitate even for a second.

The friend he saved became an IPS officer
Haider Ali Zaidi survived that near-fatal incident because of Irrfan’s bravery. Years later, he went on to clear the civil services examination and became an IPS officer. Remembering Irrfan, Haider often spoke about how that act of selflessness defined the kind of person Irrfan truly was—fearless, caring, and deeply humane.

A legacy beyond cinema
Apart from being a real-life hero, Irrfan Khan gave Indian cinema some of its most unforgettable performances. His films include Maqbool, Paan Singh Tomar, Life of Pi, Hindi Medium, Madaari, Slumdog Millionaire, The Lunchbox, Piku, and Angrezi Medium.

On his birth anniversary, stories like these remind us that Irrfan Khan was not only a great actor but also a brave and kind-hearted human being—someone whose real-life actions were as inspiring as his performances on screen.