In 2020, we lost Irrfan Khan who was a stupendous actor. He not only made a mark in Indian films but also amazed us with his wonderful acting in Hollywood and British movies. As we are still coming to terms with this loss we take solace by remembering some of his incredible performances that etched a special place in our hearts. The late actor had once said, “The day I become conventional, something inside me will die.” Surely, he still lives through his movies.
Irrfan Khan is survived by his wife, Sutapa Sikdar and sons, Babil and Ayaan. He lost his battle with Neuro Endocrine Tumor. An extraordinary actor with an ordinary face, Irrfan was born in Jaipur in a very humble background. Irrfan Khan learnt acting in the National School of Drama (NSD). This institute is known for giving many other film veterans to the Indian film industry.
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Here are a few of Irrfan khan thought-provoking movies with unconventional performances:
The Lunchbox (2013)
IMDB Rating: 7.8
A middle-aged love that blossoms between two people who aren’t seeking one. But seeking a companionship that is missing in their own lives. In this, Irrfan khan starrer thought-provoking movie, he played the role of an ageing man who is about to retire. While playing this role, he beautifully depicted the layers of loneliness his character is battling with and how a small touch of selfless care gives way to love. A feeling that isn’t there for bodily requirements but simply for companionship. He was nominated in BAFTA awards for his performance and was awarded as the Best Actor in Asian Film Awards.
Life of Pi (2012)
IMDB Rating: 7.9
Based on the best selling novel of Yann Martel of the same name, this film is sure to be on Irrfan khan thought-provoking movies list. He played the role of adult Pi Patel in the film who narrates his life’s story to a writer. His baritone voice and impactful acting were instrumental for the film’s commercial and critical success.
Paan Singh Tomar (2012)
IMDB Rating: 8.2
In this biographical film based on a true story of a dacoit turning into a world-famous athlete from India, Irrfan played the title role. An unconventional role needed the best of what he had, so certainly this film qualifies for the list of unconventional Irrfan Khan movies. His acting performance in the film is so convincing that one actually forgets that he wasn’t the actual Paan Singh Tomar. For this film, he won National Award from Indian government.
Talvar (2015)
IMDB Rating: 8.2
It is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing unconventional Irrfan Khan movies. The film is based on Aarushi Talwar double Murder Case that happened in Noida, India. In this Irrfan played the lead role of investigating officer. His acting in the movie was crisp and added a lot of value to the film.
Hindi Medium (2017) & Angrezi Medium (2020)
IMDB Rating: 7.8 & 7.3 respectively
Certainly, these two movies which can also be said as sequels were beautiful thought-provoking movies done by Irrfan Khan. The first one, Hindi Medium, discusses the divide in the education system of India and the aspirations of parents for getting a child admitted to a “good” school. While the second one is Angrezi Medium, the film’s story delves into a girl’s aspiration to go abroad for higher education. In both these films, Irrfan played the role of a doting father who tries his best to get the best education for his child. Both the films had tough topics to highlight but it was done in a light manner. Angrezi Medium was Irrfan Khan’s last film which he completed while he was in a recovery mode and later succumbed.
Irrfan Khan once said, “Wanting fame is a disease, and one day I will want to be free from this disease, from this desire. Where fame doesn’t matter. Where just experiencing life and being okay with it is enough.” Truly we must appreciate the gift of life. In his entire career, Irrfan Khan played several unconventional roles in his movies. All we can say at the end of it all is that Irrfan Khan will continue to be missed. He was genuinely an extraordinary actor.
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Very true. All those movies are really memorable and Irfan has added life to those movies with his acting
Irrfan khan an actor par excellence. The lunch box is my top favorite and in paan sing tomar irrfan brings the athlete back to life with his acting. All his performances are flawless and he is one of the finest actors in contemporary cinema.
He is one of the most amazing actor of Bollywood industry and we lost him so so soon, I remember his shooting in front of my office for telephone booth …he is amazing actor!!
Ifffan Khan was a brillant actor. I have watched his lunchbox, life of pow, namesake and Angrezi medium. His movies are full of exceptional acting skills.
Ironically I have watched all his movies and was heart broken when he left us !
Was a ironic hero and I loved his acting in each of them . He was a gem !
All these movies are memorable, Irrfan does did a brilliant job in Talvar and Lunchbox, these were my all time fav
Irfan khan was one of the finest actor of our movie industry and his death is a big loss for entire cinema. I had watched most of the movies you have mentioned here. talvar and lunch box is my most favorite.
Irfan Khan was an amazing actor with some wonderful films to his credit. Hindi Medium from this list is my favourite one.
He worked on some really good films. I really liked lunch box, superb performance he had given.
All wonderful movies you have listed out. I haven’t watched only one. Pan Singh tomar. Will add it to my watch list.
A fine actor gone too soon. His acting skills shine in the movies u have mentioned.
I wa shocked to watch the news when he left this world last year. I loved his performances. Infact can’t call it a performance as he was so natural in each character that he played. Angrezi Medium was also amazing.
He was one of the brillant actor. His death was a great loss for the film industry and for all of us who all are his great fan. I loved all this movie be it a serious role and funny role in Hindi medium.
You took me down the memory lane. I can’t thank you enough. It his impossible to choose his one performance. Such a nostalgia
Irfan khan is one of the best actor we lost last year. I also loved his performance in the movie Piku, he was brilliant in all his films.
I really liked irfan a lot buddy watched all five mentioned by you above, he’s gone too soon.
I have always love each and every movie of Irfan khan. Its like a blessing to watch him perform on screen. We really have lost a beautiful soul.
Irrfan Khan has been one of my favorite actors of all time. His movies were all excellent and thought provoking at the same time. Lunch Box is my favorite and so are the others. I also love him in PIKU
Irrfan khans work has been beyond exceptional. His timing and dialogue delivery were his strength. His ability to pull a joke with a straight face was superb. All the movies you have listed are really awesome and I speailly loved Hindi Medium and Angrezi Medium.
I agree with you,he was a genuinely extraordinary actor. He was a good actor, and did some interesting and thought provoking roles, and not just formulaic movies. This is a good selection you have shared here.
I really adore Irfaan Khan as an actor and as well as person. His acting is always on point and briliant. You have mentioned some of his great movies
Totally agree all that movies were heart touching & teached us a lesson of life.
I really life his acting, among all I found lunchbox as the best work. In Hindi medium too he did commendable job
Irfan Khan was such a natural performer. All his performances were effortless and he so easily slipped into his character. Have watched all of these films and love each one of them.
The thinking man’s actor, his death is still unbelievable. That talent void would perhaps never be filled.
These are some of the best movies listed, I must admit each time I see Life of Pi , I get a different perspective from it.
Me too..
I have seen all his movies. He is serious actor and her acting is just awestruck everyone. We really going to miss him.
Irrfan Khan was a legendary actor and I truly loved all his movies. It is a shame we lost him two years ago to neuroendocrine tumor. In such a short amount of time, he made an enormous impact on people everywhere. Certainly touched my life as well!
Irfan Khan was a kind of an actor. Hard to be replaced. He has some movies that are incomparable.
I had been reminiscing him too around his death anniversary. I have watched majority of the films you have mentioned. Such a loss to our nation.
He did indeed give some amazing performances and this selection of movies is a good representation of his work and talent.
Irrfan Khan was a brilliant actor. He has given us so many amazing performances. I love all the movies that you have mentioned, definitely worth remembering and cherishing.
These movies were amazing and had shown us what a powerhouse performer he was. Psrsonally I had also loved Maqbool and will consider it as one of his best.
All these movies are simply awesome and I’ve really enjoyed his performance in all movies that he had done coz he had thus unique style of acting with which he managed to entheral his audience
I loved Irfan’s but I haven’t watched Talvar and The Lunchbox out of these movies. This post works as a reminder for me. Thank you for reminding me that I have to these two movies.
Oh you will absolutely love Lunch Box. Do plan to watch it.
All these movies have been so beautifully portrayed by Irfan Khan. He was a legendary and I so miss having in this world where he could create more magic on big screen
He was undoubtedly one of the finest actors in the Bollywood industry. Watching his movies is a treat , he surely knew how to keep the audience glued till the end of every movie.
I really liked all this movies you mentioned here. He is a legend and will be remembered by all forever.
have no words to say what this actor meant to us we have definitely lost a gem, was my favourite.
Irfan Khan has been one of my fav actor. I still remember his very very old role of Senapati Bhadrashaal in Chandrakant Dwivedi’s series Chanakya.