Not many actors in Bollywood earned recognition of Irrfan Khan. Since the 1980’s, Khan became an Indian icon. Whether it’s police-officers, lunchbox lovers or heroic survivors, Khan portrayed several strong characters. However, in 2020 Khan’s career ended when he passed away from Cancer. Khan’s death was a huge loss for the film industry. Listed below are my favourite films made by an actor that deserves to be celebrated.
1. The Namesake
Immigration is an intense process that impacted my identity. Several years ago, my life forever changed when my family immigrated to Toronto. I recall with nostalgia joyous memories of the time when my family migrated to Canada. The decision to immigrate forced me to separate from companions that I appreciate. Few films I’ve ever seen have captured the heartache faced by families that immigrate as powerfully as “The Namesake”. Released in 2006, Irrfan Khan’s best movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about Indian immigration. In the greatest role of his career, Khan embodies an immigrant struggling to raise a family that’s a burden to bear. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most memorable role. Khan was always one of those rare actors with the abilities to communicate emotions through silence, and “The Namesake” showcased his strengths as a performer. It’s not easy to embody the hardships faced by an Indian immigrant living in America, but Khan succeeded tremendously. Working alongside Tabu who is also amazing, Khan honoured a legendary book about immigrating. For instance, the scene in which Ashok tells his son the story about how his name was created from a train accident causing despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Namesake” Irrfan Khan’s best movie is its universal appeal. Unlike most Bollywood movies targeted towards an Indian audience, it tackles universal themes that everyone would relate to. It delivers a strong message about challenges of immigration which would resonate with everyone. Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking film about Indian families that experience challenges embarking on a journey of immigration, it’s an incredible reminder of a commemorated actor that built a legendary reputation creating memorable movies which are worthy of celebration.
2. Slumdog Millionaire
India is a country that’s rarely depicted accurately in movies. At an early age, I formed bonds with a friend that criticized movies giving India a bad image. Born in Mumbai slums, he was critical of movies that depicted his country. He argued movies were an art that couldn’t capture a country holding a big place in his heart. As someone treasuring a friend that sought to become an Indian millionaire, I adored “Slumdog Millionaire”. Released in 2008, Irrfan Khan’s Oscar-winning movie honoured India. In the most villainous role of his career, Khan portrays a corrupt police-officer that interrogates an Indian boy seeking to become a millionaire. With “Slumdog Millionaire”, the actor took a step out of his comfort zone by playing a villainous officer evoking fear. Working alongside Dev Patel who is also amazing, Khan created an authentic portrait of India. For instance, the scene in which the police inspector interrogates Jamal about answering questions perfectly on the millionaire show is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Slumdog Millionaire” a classic is its depiction of India. Unlike most movies about India, it tackles themes that will resonate with everyone. As strong as Jamal’s desire to be a millionaire, it’s a bold reminder of an actor that built an impressive career making movies about which audiences care.
3. Life of Pi
Movies about survival have always resonated with me. At an early age, my family faced a grim bombing in Saudi Arabia that caused damage. Truth be told, I was only five years old. Through my parent’s drive to survive, I made it out of the bomb blast without a scratch alive. Few films I’ve ever seen have capture individuals that survive disasters which terrify as powerfully as “Life of Pi”. Released in 2012, Irrfan Khan’s movie offered a beautiful adaptation of a beloved book about survival. In the most melancholic role of his career, Khan embodies an author reflecting on his experiences of surviving a disaster causing despair. Khan always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through emotional monologues, and “Life of Pi” showcased his strengths as an actor. For instance, the scene in which Pi recounts his heartbreaking memories of bidding farewell to Richard Parker causing despair is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Life of Pi” a great adaptation is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about survival which would resonate with everyone. As strong as Pi’s desire for survival, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that made timeless films which audiences consider special.
4. The Luncbox
Lunch allows people to form strong friendships. I fondly recall with nostalgia memories of a girl with whom I ate lunch in the school cafeteria. Through eating lunch together, I formed a strong bond with a girl I grew up to treasure. As someone treasuring a girl that always brought a lunchbox, I adored “The Lunchbox”. Released in 2013, Ritesh Batra’s movie depicted bonds between lunch lovers. In the most quiet role of his career, Khan embodies a lonely man having an affair with a lunch lady whose real identity he is unaware. Khan has spent most of his career playing talkative heroes. With “The Lunchbox”, however, the actor demonstrated rare subtlety playing a quiet man. Working alongside Nimrat Kaur who is also amazing, Khan created a romantic relationship that’s compelling. For instance, the scene in which Saajan becomes aware of letters written to him by his lunch lady is one of the finest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “The Lunchbox” a classic is its message. The film delivers a profound message about friendship which would resonate with everyone. As precious as the lunchbox that Saajan shares with Ila, it’s a bold reminder of an actor with charisma whose timeless movies are treasured in India.
5. Maqbool
Shakespeare is a legendary author that always impressed my teacher. I remember an English teacher that adored Shakespeare’s literature. My teacher loved discussing the plays written by Shakespeare in class every day. He believed movies were an art that couldn’t honour a poet holding a precious place in his heart. As someone treasuring a teacher that adored Shakespeare in high school, I appreciated “Maqbool”. Released in 2003, Irrfan Khan’s movie honoured Shakespeare’s Macbeth. In the most poetic role of his career, Khan embodies a gangster that becomes involved in crime causing despair. It’s a complex role that required the actor deliver detailed Shakespearean monologues, but he succeeded. Working alongside Tabu who is also outstanding, Khan honoured Shakespeare’s legendary literature. For instance, the scene in which Maqbool murders Abba Ji causing his family to face despair is one of the greatest moments of the actor’s career. Ultimately, what makes “Maqbool” a masterpiece is its message. The film delivers a meaningful message about guilt which would resonate with everyone. An incredible Indian adaptation of an intense Shakespeare play, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose movies deserve to be celebrated today.
6. Paan Singh Tomar
When it comes to the most inspiring athletes in Indian history, it’s worth discussing Paan Singh Tomar. During the 1950’s, Tomar was a dacoit that committed crimes causing terror. An awe-inspiring historical figure, Tomar built a legacy that’s lasting. In 2012, Irrfan Khan honoured the historical figure in his movie “Paan Singh Tomar”. In the most courageous role of his career, Khan embodies a dacoit that engages in criminal activities causing despair. It’s a physically demanding role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by playing a figure that’s well-known. Working alongside Nawazuddin Siddiqui who is also amazing, Khan honoured a legendary athlete in Indian history. An incredible tribute towards an Indian historical figure, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor whose memorable movies audiences treasure.
7. Piku
Aging is a painful process causing stress. As far back as I remember, I’ve always shared a bond with my grandfather. However, aging brought our bond to a closure. After he reached retirement, our relationship became distant. As someone treasuring a grandfather that I grew up to value, I adored “Piku”. Released in 2015, Irrfan Khan’s movie captured a woman struggling to care for her aging father. In the most charming role of his career, Khan portrays a taxi driver seeking to care for an elderly man that’s a burden to bear. It gave the actor a chance to showcase his comedic timing. Working alongside Amitabh Bachchan who is also amazing, Khan created a compelling portrait of aging. A powerful portrait of hardships senior citizens go through, it’s a profound reminder of a commemorated actor that made timeless films which audiences value.
8. The Amazing Spider-Man
Few superheroes have gained a fan following as huge as Spider-Man. Since the 1960’s, the hero whose great powers come with great responsibilities has become an icon in movies. In 2012, Irrfan Khan did an amazing job of honouring the superhero in his movie “The Amazing Spider-Man”. In the most devious role of his career, Khan embodies a corporate executive that becomes the victim of a failed experiment causing despair. It gave the actor an opportunity to showcase a menacing side to himself that audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Andrew Garfield who is also amazing, Khan honoured a legendary comic-book hero. As strong as webs Spider-Man seeks to weave, it’s a breathtaking reminder of a commemorated actor that never lost his abilities to leave audiences captivated through feats he would achieve.
9. Hindi Medium
Irrfan Khan was always one of those actors with a sharp sense of humour. Khan built an image of being an actor that thrived at playing characters with humour. Khan’s strength for playing comedic characters with wisdom is evident in his movie “Hindi Medium”. Released in 2017, Khan’s movie captured India’s education. In the most comical role of his career, Khan embodies a father struggling to raise a daughter that’s a burden to bear. Khan is known for playing serious characters. With “Hindi Medium”, however, the actor showcased a playful side to himself audiences hadn’t seen before. Working alongside Saba Qamar who is also amazing, Khan captured education in India. A powerful portrait of India’s education system, its a breathtaking reminder of an actor with wisdom that manufactured memorable movies achieving stardom.
10. Jurassic World
Irrfan Khan hasn’t always made great movies. While most movies the actor has made have been appreciated, a few have left audiences disappointed. Unfortunately, “Jurassic World” falls into the latter category. Released in 2015, Colin Trevorrow’s movie was a flawed blockbuster. In the most shallow role of his career, Khan embodies a businessman in a theme park where dangerous dinosaurs cause despair. Khan brought charisma to the role, standing out as the bright spot of a bad movie. Although “Jurassic World” is a flawed blockbuster, it honoured Khan’s legacy. As precious as the Jurassic World theme park, it’s a breathtaking reminder of an actor with a bright spark that left a lasting mark whose commemorated movies I will forever treasure several years after his heartbreaking death left the world mourning in the dark.
The Film Buff 