Remembering Irrfan Khan through his iconic characters

Irrfan Khan's legendary characters crossed language, genre, and culture, leaving a lasting impact on people's hearts all over the world. His performances were a master class in sincerity and craftsmanship, from subtly capturing complicated emotions to giving each character life, ensuring his legacy will last forever.

Set against the backdrop of Mumbai, The Lunchbox is a heartwarming drama that accidentally connects two strangers when a lunchbox delivery goes wrong. The story follows Saajan Fernandes, a lonely widower who starts exchanging letters with Ila, a neglected housewife, seeking an emotional connection. Through their shared notes, they form a unique bond, without ever meeting each other. Irrfan’s portrayal struck a chord with everyone because of his ability to express hope and loneliness without using obvious language. The delicate emotional weight of the film is carried by his nuanced portrayal.

Piku features the bond between a father and daughter. The story follows Piku, a headstrong architect, and her hypochondriac father, Bhaskor Banerjee. When they embark on a trip from Delhi to Kolkata with their reluctant taxi driver, Rana, it turns into a journey of emotional discoveries, tensions, and friendship. Tasked with driving Piku and her eccentric father, Bhaskor, from Delhi to Kolkata, Rana serves as a mediator between their constant bickering. His dry wit, calm demeanor, and occasional frustrations add humor and balance to the chaos. Irrfan Khan’s role brought a relaxing and fun element to the movie.

Set against the backdrop of Allahabad University politics, this captivating crime drama follows the story of Anirudh, a naive student who falls in love with Niharika and gets entangled in the dark world of political power battles on the campus, led by the cunning Ranvijay Singh. The movie explores the corrupting influence of power and influence, as friendships turn into rivalries and love is betrayed. Irrfan’s chilling portrayal of Ranvijay’s charm and menace earned critical acclaim, showcasing his ability to seamlessly embody morally complex characters. Haasil has become a cult favorite due to Irrfan's powerful performance.

A gripping adaptation of Shakespeare’s Macbeth, the movie is set in the underworld of Mumbai. This movie follows the life of Maqbool, a loyal soldier to the crime lord Abbaji, who is torn between devotion and his ambition, which is fueled by Abbaji’s mistress Nimmi. Maqbool betrays Abbaji after giving in to Nimmi's manipulations, which causes his life to spiral into tragedy and paranoia. The film, which is a milestone for Indian cinema, examines themes of devotion, ambition, and guilt through powerful performances, particularly from Irrfan. Irrfan Khan received critical acclaim for the movie for his portrayal of a dark and brooding character.

This hilarious comedy drama revolves around a wealthy Delhi couple, Raj and Mita Batra, who are desperate to get their daughter into a prestigious English-medium school. To navigate the system, they pretend to be poor, leading to humorous situations. By blending humor with a powerful social message, the movie draws attention to society's fixation with English education and how it affects class differences. His journey is both amusing and moving, as he navigates social pressures and challenges injustices in the educational system. The film's social message is grounded in Irrfan's emotional depth, while Raj's charisma and natural comedy make him sympathetic.