Irrfan Khan

‘Uncertainty is the only certainty’ Irrfan Khan 2018

Irrfan Khan died in Mumbai India 29 Apr 2020 after being admitted to hospital for a “colon infection” according to many news reports. However, The Times of India wrote about Khan’s colon infection, saying it may have resulted from cancer treatments. Sadly, Irrfan’s mother died 3 days earlier but he was unable to attend her last rites owing to India’s nationwide coronavirus lockdown restricting citizens’ movements at that time.

Rest in Peace Irrfan

Irrfan Khan, known simply as Irrfan was an Indian actor and producer, well-known for movies, Slumdog Millionaire, Life of Pi, Jurassic World, The Amazing Spider-Man, was diagnosed with Neuroendocrine Cancer in 2018.

What type of NET?

Irrfan released information on 19 June 2018 indicating it was a high grade Neuroendocrine Cancer – although there is no detail of the ‘differentiation‘ that would indicate a ‘Neuroendocrine Tumour’ (NET) or a ‘Neuroendocrine Carcinoma’ (NEC). There have been no confirmed reports about the primary location. Read his “Note from London” here

Where was he being treated?

Irrfan initially said he would be travelling “overseas” for treatment. Fox News (USA) said that “he hasn’t elaborated on his treatment plan, though he did say he would be treated somewhere outside the U.S.” This has been contradicted by other online sources in India claiming he will be treated in USA. However, there are now firm reports he is in London for treatment by a London based NET Specialist. He has posted on Instagram from “The Dorchester”, and his announcement on 19 June 2018 was entitled “A note from London”.

What happened next?

Update on 13 Feb 2019. He is back in India – no other information is available.

Update on 1st April 2019. He is going back to work.

Update 15 Sep 2019. He had surgery while in filming in London. Surgery was successful and he has returned to India to recuperate. No details of the surgery available yet.

January 2020. Many Indian newspapers are reporting that he has stopped work for 8 months while he receives further treatment.

February 2020. He has been working on a new film over the period from April 2019. The official trailer of this ‘comeback’ film, Angrezi Medium, has just been released but Irrfan has announced he is unable to help promote the film due to “health issues”. Ahead of the trailer’s release, Irrfan Khan released an emotional voice note in which he shares about working in the film and the battles brought by his disease. The voice note is not in English except for the last two bits and an emotional “and yes, wait for me”. The video has English sub-titles but I posted the main part below.

April 2020. Irrfan Khan died in Mumbai, India, on 29 Apr 2020 after being admitted to hospital for a “colon infection” according to many news reports. However, The Times of India wrote about Khan’s colon infection, saying it may have resulted from cancer treatments. Sadly, Irrfan’s mother died 3 days earlier but he was unable to attend her last rites owing to India’s nationwide coronavirus lockdown restricting citizens’ movements at that time.