On January 7, 2026, the late Irrfan Khan’s 59th birthday, tributes and memories from friends, family, and colleagues poured in, painting a vivid portrait of one of Indian cinema’s most beloved actors. Across social media, film festivals, and editorial columns, the day became a celebration not just of a remarkable career, but of a life that left an indelible mark on those who knew him and millions who admired him from afar.
At the recent Koshala Lit Festival in Lucknow, filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia took the stage to reflect on his journey from theatre to cinema, but it was his candid recollections of Irrfan Khan that resonated most with the audience. Known for his powerful films like Gangs of Wasseypur, Paan Singh Tomar, and Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster, Dhulia spoke openly about the creative constraints of modern filmmaking and the decline of single-screen theatres. However, when the conversation turned to Irrfan, the tone shifted from professional to deeply personal.
“You cannot write or think of making a film with Irrfan in mind, as there is no one who can do justice. He was my only real friend in the industry,” Dhulia shared, according to The Times of India. He described the film industry as an insecure place, where true friends are rare and life often passes in anticipation. “After his passing, I don’t have a friend like that anymore,” Dhulia admitted, recalling their days not just as collaborators but as genuine companions. He fondly remembered how their friendship extended beyond work—“We didn’t just work together, we were friends. I wasn’t interested in flying kites, but he was, so I spent my day watching him. That’s the friendship we shared.”
Dhulia also revisited his formative years at the National School of Drama, where watching seniors like Irrfan perform helped shape his understanding of theatre. “I didn’t know what I was doing with my life then. The open environment, where conversations were constantly happening and people were learning from one another, taught me everything,” he said. These early experiences, he explained, laid the foundation for his later work in cinema.
When asked about the recurring themes of power and rebellion in his films, Dhulia clarified, “My films may look ‘alpha-male,’ but that’s because my characters demand freedom. They cannot live under authority; they defy it.” He expressed discomfort with the current trend of rage-driven, violent cinema, noting, “There’s a lot of anger on screen today, which reflects society, but I don’t enjoy that kind of cinema. Everything feels monstrous.”
His memories of Irrfan extended to the sets of Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns, where Dhulia recounted an incident involving a bee nest. “We were shooting and all the actors were staying in rooms within the haveli. I had removed a bee nest, and Irrfan scolded me quite a bit for it. None of the other actors said anything—only him. That’s when I realised how sensitive he was to these things, how deeply aware and caring he was beyond the craft,” Dhulia recalled.
As the session drew to a close, Dhulia revealed he is currently working on a biopic of K Asif, the visionary behind Mughal-e-Azam. He emphasized his desire not to become a factory churning out similar films, stating, “Style should always be there, that doesn’t mean that all movies should look alike, but that is the journey you keep fighting to look for the artist in you. One cannot be bigger than the art.”
Meanwhile, on social media, actor Parvathy Thiruvothu marked Irrfan Khan’s birthday with a quiet, touching tribute. She shared an unseen photograph from January 7, 2017, taken during the first table read of Qarib Qarib Singlle. The image captures Irrfan holding Parvathy in a warm embrace—a candid snapshot of the camaraderie that defined their collaboration. “This was 2017 January 7th, right after Irrfan cut his birthday cake that the whole team of Qarib Qarib Singlle got during our first table read,” Parvathy wrote, as reported by Bollywood Hungama. The film, directed by Tanuja Chandra, marked Parvathy’s Hindi film debut and was celebrated for its gentle storytelling and authentic performances.
Fans and critics alike took the opportunity to revisit some of Irrfan’s most iconic roles. Entrepreneur India published a heartfelt editorial highlighting five films that continue to define his legacy: Paan Singh Tomar (2012), The Lunchbox (2013), Haider (2014), Hindi Medium (2017), and Angrezi Medium (2020). The piece emphasized Irrfan’s unique acting style, marked by silences, restraint, and emotional truth, steering clear of loud heroism or ornamental stardom. In Paan Singh Tomar, he played a national-level athlete turned rebel with such subtlety that his performance transcended the screen, earning him a National Award. The Lunchbox showcased his ability to convey longing and loneliness without melodrama, while Haider saw him as the film’s moral center. In Hindi Medium, he made social commentary human and relatable, and Angrezi Medium—released while he was ill—became a moving testament to his warmth and sincerity as both an actor and a father.
“Irrfan Khan was not searching for the fame of a superstar, yet he somehow became an irreplaceable part of the industry,” wrote the editorial’s author. His legacy, it continued, is defined by his ability to bridge Bollywood and Hollywood, independent and mainstream cinema, all without losing his unique identity.
For those closest to him, the day was as much about personal reflection as public remembrance. Babil Khan, Irrfan’s son, took to social media to share two unseen photographs and a deeply personal note. One image shows a young Babil resting on his father as they lie on a mat—a moment filled with innocence and warmth. The other captures them years later, engaged in a quiet, heartfelt conversation. Babil described their affectionate bond, recalling how he would jump on his father and fall asleep on his back, a ritual he called their “sofa mode.”
In a previous interview with The Lallantop, Babil addressed criticism that he was leveraging his grief for career advancement, clarifying that his posts come from a place of gratitude and love. He emphasized the overwhelming affection his family received after Irrfan’s passing and his desire to honor that support, not exploit it.
Born on January 7, 1967, Irrfan Khan’s influence continues to ripple through Indian and global cinema. From The Lunchbox to Life of Pi and Slumdog Millionaire, his work remains a testament to honesty, quiet power, and emotional depth. Through the memories shared by collaborators, family, and admirers, it’s clear that while people may leave, their stories—and the love they inspire—endure.
As the world paused to remember Irrfan Khan on what would have been his 59th birthday, the tributes served as a reminder: some stars fade, but Irrfan Khan stays.