Art is said to be a form that depicts the emotions on stage or in front of the camera. Irrfan Khan the par excellence actor brought each of his characters to life. He made sure that the audience never forgets the roles he played, all had a substance to it. Some unforgettable role by Irrfan to binge watch and relive his presence.
1. Maqbool – Disney+ Hotstar
Based on Shakespeare’s Macbeth, this Vishal Bhardwaj-directorial was the movie that gave Irrfan Khan fame and acclaim. It is the story of Maqbool, who works for a powerful gangster and falls in love with his boss’s ladylove. The instigation leads him to take unprecedented steps. Watch this for him playing a grey character who seems hopeless in his tasks.
2. Paan Singh Tomar – Netflix
Tigmanshu Dhulia’s film Paan Singh Tomar where Irrfan played the lead role won the National Award for the Best Feature Film. In the biopic, Irrfan Khan brings to life the real story of athlete-turned-rebel, who had scored several gold medals for the country. The action takes place in the ravines of Chambal, where his mother is killed with no justice served. To fight the law he goes in the opposite direction to fight it off. The movie keeps you hooked with keeping you on the edge of your seat at all times.
3. The Lunchbox – Netflix
This BAFTA-nominated movie features one of the finest class actors like Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur and Nawazudin Siddiqui. The story revolves around Saajan Fernandez played by Irrfan who mistakenly receives a lunch box from Ila and how their love blossoms with just an exchange of a few words through the lunch box. This is one of its kind romance that needs not much dressing but felt at heart.
4. Hindi Medium – Amazon Prime Video
Raj (Irrfan Khan), a sari dealer in Delhi, has a typical family including his daughter and wife. His wife wishes to settle in the South Delhi neighbourhood with attaining the much-hyped status. It marks the struggle of Indian parents who wish the best education for their children. This movie won Irrfan a Filmfare, became his highest-grossing film ever. The great actor pulls off comic as well as emotional scenes so well that it’s hard not to cry or laugh your heart out.
5. Piku
‘Piku’ was a very different sort of a movie, which had not much of a story but the characters stood strong like anything. Irrfan played a driver company owner who helps an aged man Amitabh Bachan and his daughter Piku, played by Deepika Padukone on a road trip to Kolkata. Irrfan is an actor who grows on you with each film of his that you watch.
6. The Namesake
Directed by Mira Nair, is a story based around Ashok and Ashima Ganguli who were the first generation Indians in the US. It shows how cultural differences are felt by them as parents living abroad. It talks about the inter-generational conflicts that make his presence worth pondering upon.
7. Life In A… Metro – Netflix
This film earned him a Filmfare award for the Best Supporting Actor. The story revolves around nine individuals whose lives get complicated when their fates intertwine. It is a character that is stuck in between relationships and the weight they carry. The brilliant soundtrack of this film takes you back to the early 2000s.
7. Slumdog Millionaire – YouTube
Danny Boyle’s Oscar-winning movie tells the story of a slum boy who with his life experiences becomes a millionaire. Irrfan successfully plays the role of a cop, who must find out if the Slumdog made his way through any kind of foul play.
We will miss his presence on screen but should cherish what wealth of work we have of his.
