Bollywood star Irrfan Khan has died after suffering from a colon infection.
The 53-year-old star is best remembered for his roles in hit films Slumdog Millionaire and Life Of Pi.
Prior to contracting the infection, Khan had been receiving treatment in the UK for a rare endocrine tumour.
Spending the coronavirus lockdown period in India, Khan was rushed to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on Tuesday with the infection.
His team originally denied rumours of his death in a statement, though they confirmed he had been admitted to intensive care.
Tragically, he succumbed to the infection while battling for his life in the hospital.
Bollywood star Irrfan Khan has died aged 53
They said: “Yes it is true that Irrfan khan is admitted to ICU at Kokilaben in Mumbai because of a colon infection. We would keep everyone updated. He is under doctor’s observation.
“His strength and courage have helped him battle and fight so far and we are sure with his tremendous willpower and prayers of all his well wishers, he will recover soon.”
His publicist confirmed his death in a statement today, describing the actor as a “strong soul” and a “man of few words”.
It read: “‘I trust, I have surrendered’; these were the some of the many words that Irrfan expressed in a heartfelt note he wrote in 2018 opening up about his fight with cancer.
Khan had roles in major films like Jurassic World, Slumdog Millionaire, Life Of Pi and The Amazing Spider-Man (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“And a man of few words and an actor of silent expressions with his deep eyes and his memorable actions on screen.
“It’s saddening that this day, we have to bring forward the news of him passing away. Irrfan was a strong soul, someone who fought till the very end and always inspired everyone who came close to him.
“After having been struck by lightning in 2018 with the news of a rare cancer, he took life soon after as it came and he fought the many battles that came with it.
The star was admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital on Tuesday (Image: Getty Images)
“Surrounded by his love, his family for whom he most cared about, he left for heaven abode, leaving behind truly a legacy of his own.
“We all pray and hope that he is at peace. And to resonate and part with his words he had said, ‘As if I was tasting life for the first time, the magical side of it’.”
Khan was the lead in a number of Bollywood hits, including Lunchbox, Piku, and Hindi Medium.
In the west, he appeared in major Hollywood films including Jurassic World, Slumdog Millionaire, Life Of Pi and The Amazing Spider-Man.
Khan appeared in dozens of hugely successful films in both India and across the globe (Image: AFP/Getty Images)
Khan’s breakthrough role on the international circuit was as Lafcadia in the British-Indian film The Warrior, which won a Bafta.
His final film, Angrezi Medium, was released last month.
Irrfan is survived by his wife Sutapa Sikder, and young sons Babil and Ayan.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
