Manu Rishi, who shared the screen with the late Irrfan Khan in ‘Angrezi Medium’, recently opened up about the deeply emotional experience of saying goodbye to his dear friend and colleague. In a heartfelt conversation, Manu revealed how he was overcome with grief while remembering Irrfan and the painful moment of personally burying him.
During an interview on a YouTube channel, Manu shared poignant memories of his time with Irrfan. He recalled, “When Hindi Medium started, I called the director and said, ‘You don’t have a small role for me after I played a significant role in the prequel Angrezi Medium? You don’t have a small part where I can just hug Irrfan bhai?’ Irrfan bhai then called me and said, ‘I’m sending you tickets; come to Udaipur in two days.’ I went there just to hug Irrfan bhai. I couldn’t act at that moment. I realized that this man was slipping away, and I needed to gather as many memories with him as I could. He didn’t survive, but I still have his message with me.”
Manu also spoke about how he almost missed the chance to see Irrfan one last time but ultimately managed to bid him farewell in the most personal way. “I nearly missed seeing him for the last time, but the burial ground was close to my house. I reached there, and everyone was standing at the gate of the burial ground. Due to Covid restrictions, the police weren’t allowing anyone in. I didn’t have a special relationship with the officer standing there, but he let me in. I placed sandalwood on Irrfan before burying him with my own hands,” he shared, his voice heavy with emotion.
Irrfan Khan, one of India’s most versatile and beloved actors, passed away on April 29, 2020, leaving a void in the world of cinema that can never be filled. His death marked the end of an era in Bollywood, where his unparalleled talent and unique screen presence made him a global icon.
Born on January 7, 1967, in Jaipur, Rajasthan, Irrfan Khan had a passion for acting from an early age. He pursued his dreams by enrolling at the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, where he honed his craft and prepared himself for a challenging yet rewarding career in the film industry. Despite starting with small roles in television and films, Irrfan’s breakthrough came with the 2003 film ‘Maqbool’, an adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’, which earned him critical acclaim and established him as a serious actor in Indian cinema.
Over the years, Irrfan Khan’s versatility allowed him to seamlessly transition between mainstream Bollywood films and international projects. He delivered powerful performances in films like ‘The Lunchbox’, ‘Paan Singh Tomar’, ‘Hindi Medium’, and ‘Piku’. His talent was not confined to Indian cinema alone; Irrfan made a significant mark in Hollywood with roles in films such as ‘Slumdog Millionaire’, ‘Life of Pi’, ‘Jurassic World’, and ‘The Amazing Spider-Man’.
In 2018, Irrfan Khan was diagnosed with a rare neuroendocrine tumor, a form of cancer that affects the cells that release hormones into the bloodstream. Despite his illness, Irrfan continued to work and starred in ‘Angrezi Medium’, which would become his final film. His battle with cancer was marked by incredible strength and resilience, which he often shared with his fans through social media, expressing gratitude for the love and support he received during his treatment.
Irrfan’s demise on April 29, 2020, came as a shock to the entire world. He passed away at the age of 53 in Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, surrounded by his loved ones. The news of his death was met with an outpouring of grief from fans, colleagues, and celebrities across the globe, all of whom mourned the loss of a true artist who had the rare ability to connect with audiences on a deeply emotional level.
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